Ole Miss at Alabama Preview: Three most important matchups to watch
Sep 20, 2014; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jacob Coker (14) makes a call as Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman Ryan Kelly (70) looks up against the Florida Gators at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Ryan Kelly, Alabama OL vs. Robert Nkemdiche, Ole Miss DL
Alabama’s offensive line earned national acclaim for its performance in Week 1 against a stingy Wisconsin defense. The Tide rolled up 502 yards of offense, moved the chains 27 times and scored 35 points. Alabama O-Linemen registered 27 knockdowns and paved the way for 238 rushing yards, nine runs of ten yards or more, and four TDs.
As a result, the unit earned a spot on the Joe Moore Award Honor Roll, which grades O-Lines on toughness, effort, teamwork, physicality, tone-setting, and finishing. The Tide will need to meet every one of those criteria again to succeed in blocking Ole Miss defensive lineman Robert Nkemdiche and the rest of the Rebels’ talented Landshark defense.
Simply put, Nkemdiche is one of the best college football players in the nation. The 6-foot-4, 296-pound junior so so skilled and versatile that he can line up and excel at every position on the defensive line. Nkemdiche is a menace for opposing blockers and because he creates so much havoc at the line of scrimmage and in the backfield, it frees up other members of the Landshark defense to make plays.
A natural three-technique defensive tackle, Nkemdiche often lines up on the outside shoulder of an opposing guard, but regularly faces double-teams when the center comes over to help try to block the future first round NFL draft pick. He occasionally warrants a triple-team.
The player responsible for assigning many of those blocking assignments this week is Alabama center Ryan Kelly, who is one of the nation’s best at his position. Offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin and offensive line coach Mario Cristobal are sure to have prepared the 6-foot-5, 297-pound senior, who has made 21 career starts to date for the Crimson Tide, with a well-prepared game plan for Nkemdiche, as well as his talented line mates.
The Tide will also need to keep tabs on Nkemdiche when Ole Miss is on offense. The Rebels have inserted the All-American candidate into the backfield as a fullback twice this year, and he scored touchdowns both times. The first was a 31-yard TD catch and run against UT-Martin, and the second a one-yard run against Fresno State.
Next: Laremy Tunsil vs. the NCAA