SEC Football: 5 teams who can dethrone Alabama in 2017

4. Ole Miss Rebels – October 30

The Ole Miss Rebels have some rebuilding to do on offense, replacing quarterback Chad Kelly. They have won two of their last three meetings against the Alabama Crimson Tide.

The Rebels are the last team to defeat the Crimson Tide in the regular season. Their most recent victory came when they defeated them 43-37 in 2015. In fact, the Rebels defeated the Crimson Tide in back-to-back seasons in 2014 and 2015.

As the last team to defeat Alabama, Ole Miss is another team prime to dethrone them in 2017. They just need a new starting quarterback first. The likely starter at quarterback, Shea Patterson, threw for 880 passing yards and six touchdowns in three games in 2016 as a freshman. The pressure will be on him this fall as he looks to earn the starting job.

The defense returns six starters, including highly-rated defensive end Marquis Haynes. Haynes led the team last season with 11.0 tackles for loss and 7.0 sacks. He also recorded the first interception of his career in 2016.

The schedule favors the Ole Miss Rebels as they face the South Alabama Jaguars, UT Martin Skyhawks and California Golden Bears in their first three games before Alabama. The early season schedule will help prepare whoever the starting quarterback is next season.