Ole Miss Football: Will Rebels end bowl-less streak in 2019?

After missing out on bowls because of poor play as well as sanctions, can Ole Miss football make the postseason for the first time since 2015?

The Ole Miss football program is looking for a spark. Since 2017, the program has seemed, to some, rudderless. And 2019 is the season in which that has to change. With a revamped offense and defense, as well as an experienced coaching staff, the turnaround appears doable.

It may seem crazy, but 2019 was supposed to be the year in which Ole Miss really felt the effects of the 5-6 year long NCAA investigation, but looking at the landscape of the team, the depth chart and the coaching staff that head coach Matt Luke has assembled and you wouldn’t necessarily think that.

Yes, there are places in which depth is a concern, particularly the offensive line, but the rest of the roster has seemingly been well-managed.

The additions of Rich Rodriguez (OC) and Mike MacIntyre (DC) arguably gives Ole Miss the best coordinator duo in the entire country, a vast upgrade over Phil Longo and Wesley McGriff from a year ago. This is now truly Luke’s team. It’s his players, and his coaches — the results, for better or worse, are fully his now, too.

This is a program that was one game away from the SEC West title in 2015 and one that arguably could’ve won a national championship but instead played in and won a Sugar Bowl. This program and its fanbase want a return to that type of national prominence and 2019 has to be the start of that.

The pieces are there for Ole Miss to return to the bowl game scene at the end of the year. A young and inexperienced, yet highly talented quarterback in Matt Corral, a solid and deep running back room, a defense that has playmakers and just finally needs to step up and improve in a new system.