Four Keys to the Game: Ole Miss vs. Mississippi State
Ole Miss takes on Mississippi State in Starkville Thursday night in the final game of the regular season. We’ve got your four keys to an Egg Bowl win for the Rebels:
Keep the main thing the main thing
There is a lot riding on this game. While some fans will understandably get caught up in the rivalry, at the end of the day, the stakes of this game cannot be underestimated.
The winner finishes second in the SEC West. A win will give the Rebs ten wins this season, the first time an Ole Miss football team has won ten regular-season games in school history. A win will send head coach Lane Kiffin and company to a New Year’s Six bowl game.
Since WWII, Ole Miss football teams that had 8 victories headed into the Mississippi State game are 11-1-1 vs the Bulldogs.
This 2021 Ole Miss team will be the first that State’s ever played that’s had 9 wins entering the game.#HottyToddy #ItsTradition pic.twitter.com/8TsxIzdD38
— David Walker (@DavidWalkerQB) November 24, 2021
Again, there is just one thing that needs to happen for all that…WIN.
Run Game
Ole Miss is 6-0 when rushing for 200+ yards in game. Simple. Rush for 200 yards and the outcome should be favorable.
An effective run game will keep the Mississippi State defense honest and will help open the run-pass option the Rebs run so well.
The 9-2 Ole Miss Rebels are 6-0 when gaining more yards rushing than their opponent. pic.twitter.com/tvGYtEkCT2
— David Walker (@DavidWalkerQB) November 25, 2021
Defend the pass
It will be important for everyone on the defensive side of the ball to be on the same page and force State QB Will Rogers to have to go deep into his progression. That will be dependent both on the pass rush and pass coverage.
The pass rushers will need to get to Rogers quickly and make him uncomfortable and force him out of the pocket.
The players in coverage will need to be on their best game and cover well, giving the pass rushers time to get to Rogers. In a nutshell, they will need to complement each other well.
Play a full 60 minutes
In their last three SEC games, Ole Miss has been outscored 30-24 in the second half. It will be important for the Rebs to play a full 60 minutes and leave everything on the field in their last regular season game.
Nick Filipich
Nick Filipich was born and raised in Biloxi, MS. He is an Ole Miss alum with a degree in Sports and Recreation Administration. A sports junkie with a great passion for all things Ole Miss, Nick played baseball and football in high school — which is where he discovered his love for sports. He is an avid Braves and Saints fan, and in his free time enjoys spending time with family, friends and his black lab, Dixie.
