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Ole Miss Football: 2017 season preview, predictions

By Hunter Kinniburgh

OXFORD, MS - SEPTEMBER 17: Van Jefferson #12 of the Mississippi Rebels is chased down by Minkah Fitzpatrick #29 of the Alabama Crimson Tide at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on September 17, 2016 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
OXFORD, MS - SEPTEMBER 17: Van Jefferson #12 of the Mississippi Rebels is chased down by Minkah Fitzpatrick #29 of the Alabama Crimson Tide at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on September 17, 2016 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

Defense

If Ole Miss is to do better in 2017, then the defense has to improve. The offense should be able to score on anyone, which it did in 2016. The defense was always the problem. Never more evident than in the 21 point giveaways to Florida State and Alabama. New defensive coordinator Wesley McGriff helped turn the Ole Miss defense and secondary around in 2012. Ole Miss needs him to do it again.

This isn’t to say that the Rebels aren’t without talent on the defensive side, its there, it’s just young. Veteran leaders such as Marquis Haynes, Breeland Speaks and A.J. Moore amongst others will be counted on to help get this defense going. The strength should be the defensive line, which Haynes and Speaks are the main playmakers. To go along with them will be sophomore Benito Jones who made his mark as a freshman as an interior force.

The weakest part of the defense will be the linebackers. There was a severe lack of talent there in 2016 and while the coaching staff recruited that position hard, that just means new players are young. It’s always hard to count on freshman in college football, especially in the SEC. New players such as Mohamed Sanogo, Breon Dixon will be counted on early; as well as veteran DeMarquis Gates.

The secondary was young in 2016 but with experience that many players gained, they should improve. Coach McGriff is an excellent secondary coach which will help as well. Players such as Myles Hartsfield, Zedrick Woods, Jalen Julius and Deontae Anderson will be in prime position for standout seasons. The return of veteran CB Ken Webster from injury will be a welcomed sight for the coaching staff as well.

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