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Ole Miss Football: What is the ceiling for the Rebels in 2018?

By Andrew Miller

OXFORD, MS - OCTOBER 14: Wide receiver A.J. Brown #1 of the Mississippi Rebels celebrates after scoring a touchdown during their game against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on October 14, 2017 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images)
OXFORD, MS - OCTOBER 14: Wide receiver A.J. Brown #1 of the Mississippi Rebels celebrates after scoring a touchdown during their game against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on October 14, 2017 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Defensive Outlook

The Ole Miss defense definitely had its fair share of ups and downs in 2017. They will also lose a few key pieces, especially along the defensive line. Those are the losses that are going to be the toughest to account for entering the upcoming SEC slate.

Some of those losses include defensive end and Senior Bowl standout Marquis Haynes, would-be rising senior Breeland Speaks, and cornerback and NFL Draft prospect Ken Webster. There’s some key pieces missing at all three levels of the defense. But, it’s nothing that Ole Miss hasn’t shown they can replace in the past five years.

The way the defense played in the final four weeks of the year, especially against ULL and Mississippi State is exactly what’s needed again in 2018. Ole Miss has the offensive firepower to put up numbers on the scoreboard, but they had some tough outings to bounce back from.

Giving up 66 points to the Alabama Crimson Tide, 44 points to the Auburn Tigers, and 38 points to Arkansas is something that cannot happen if Ole Miss wants to build something significant in 2018. The development of the secondary with key players like safety duo Myles Hartsfield and Zedrick Woods.

The main x-factor for the Ole Miss defense in 2018 is showing the promise that they will once again play at the level seen a few years ago. The run defense gave up nearly 250 yards per game, and around 2.5 touchdowns in 2017. Improve that marker, and the results will come through.

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