Arkansas vs Ole Miss: Q&A with Ole Hotty Toddy

It’s Senior Day in Fayetteville and emotions are running high as the Hogs look for their 2nd straight SEC victory. Razorbackers crossed enemy lines to get a closer look at the Ole Miss Rebels.

Ole Hotty Toddy is the FanSided home of the Ole Miss Rebels. A big thanks to Dave Bevan for interviewing Razorbackers this week, and of course, thank you for returning the favor by giving us the following:

1.  With Ole Miss being one of the better defenses in the country, how good do Rebel fans think their defense really is?

OHT: We know the strength of our defense is the secondary. This group is arguably the best in the country. Stopping the run has shown it’s weaknesses against LSU and Auburn. But, overall we have a good feeling this defense (when healthy) can compete with the best offenses in the country. We proved that against Alabama. 

2.  Ole Miss doesn’t have what I would call a go to running back or receiver, but they spread the ball around evenly. Who do you think is the most dynamic weapon for the Rebels? And what can Arkansas do to stop him?

Nov 1, 2014; Oxford, MS, USA; Ole Miss Rebels wide receiver Laquon Treadwell (1) is carted off of the field after an injury on a play against the Auburn Tigers at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Auburn defeated Ole Miss 35-31. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

OHT: It has to be wide receiver Vince Sanders. He has replaced Laquon Treadwell for the rest of the season and has met expectations. Look for him to be the down field threat on Saturday. Sanders is an experienced senior having his best collegiate season. He has recorded 646 receiving yards and six touchdowns this season. 

3.  With a good defense, are the Rebels worried about stopping the Hogs on offense? If so, how will they stop them?

OHT: The Hogs will get a fresh Robert Nkemdiche, Fadol Brown, Marquis Haynes, and Cody Prewitt. It will be asked for these guys to control the run game and attack the pass. Haynes is a beast at defensive end, who leads the Rebels in sacks this season. 

4.  Arkansas is one of the best at controlling the time of possession. What can the Rebels do to take away this advantage?

OHT: Stopping Arkansas’ consistent run game will be the key. It could be the deciding factor in this game.

5.  Which players on offense and defense should the Hogs watch out for the most?

OHT: Prior to the Auburn game, Treadwell was heavily covered because he was the number one target. Now it is Vince Sanders. Tight end Evan Engram is also a threat and he’s a play maker. WR Cody Core has also had a lot of success this year. 

Also, watch for Bo Wallace is this game. He is just 54 yards shy of breaking Eli Manning’s all-time total offense record. 

The biggest threat on defense is CB Senquez Golson. He has 9 interceptions through 10 games this season. The Rebel defense have forced at least one turnover in 34 consecutive games. 

Serderius Bryant is also someone you’ll have to watch for too. He has accumulated 28 tackles and an interception in the last 3 games.

6.  Do Rebel fans believe they still have a chance at making the College Football Playoff? And what do you think it will take?

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OHT: We are in “one game at a time” mode now. That LSU and Auburn stretch was rough. We lost a leader on defense (Denzel Nkemdiche) for the rest of the season due to injury against LSU, then our player maker on offense (Laquon Treadwell) against Auburn. 

We know the task at hand. We have to win out these remaining games. Auburn needs to help us with an upset over Alabama. If those two things happen, we go to the SEC Championship game. Of course, winning it would be the deciding factor in getting into the playoffs. I see that as our only shot. 

There is definitely no complaints with this season. It has been an amazing junior year under Hugh Freeze and we look forward to the years to come with him. 

7.  What’s your prediction of the game with a final score?

OHT: Arkansas may have this game at home, but the Rebels are coming off a bye week. The defense is healthy, and I believe that will be too much for the Razorbacks’ offense. The Razorbacks’ weakness is the second half. They’ve been a great first half team all season, but if a high tempo offense gets rolling, I’m not sure if the Razorbacks will have the strength to keep it close. 

I think the point spread is way off, and the weather won’t be a factor. The game will start out close in the first half, but the Rebels will take it way in the second. Rebels win, 28-10.