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

By Hunter Kinniburgh

OXFORD, MS - SEPTEMBER 02: Head coach Matt Luke of the Mississippi Rebels takes the field before a game against the South Alabama Jaguars at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on September 2, 2017 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
OXFORD, MS - SEPTEMBER 02: Head coach Matt Luke of the Mississippi Rebels takes the field before a game against the South Alabama Jaguars at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on September 2, 2017 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
(Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

Strong running game will lead Ole Miss offense in 2019

Matt Corral is the hot name associated with Ole Miss and for good reason — he’s the next man up in a line really good recent quarterback play at the school. He was also the only underclassman at SEC Media Days, meaning Matt Luke and staff have confidence in Corral to be the face of the program going forward.

Even with all that, Corral is a redshirt freshman who has only appeared in mop-up duty in four games with the exception of the Egg Bowl against Mississippi State when he replaced an injured Jordan Ta’amu. With that inexperience comes a need to rely on the run game, which is proven.

Lead back Scottie Phillips would have rushed for 1,000 yards last season if not for a late injury. His primary backup will be freshman Snoop Conner, who has really impressed the staff since coming in before spring practice. He has proven to be a hard-nosed ball-carrier who will run over anyone that gets in his way.

Alongside Conner is sophomore Isaiah Woullard and true freshman phenom Jerrion Ealy. In Rich Rodriguez’s offense, the run game takes precedence, and I would expect all four of these backs to have a role this season.

At receiver, the star names such as AJ Brown and DK Metcalf are gone, but to replace them are young talented receivers led by Elijah Moore and Braylon Sanders. They are the most experienced returners. Alongside them is the taller Miles Battle and newcomer Dontario Drummond, among others.

And at tight end, the Rebels will hope Octavious Cooley can hold down that position and be productive. Behind him is converted quarterback Jason Pellerin.

Offensive line will be the biggest question mark for the offense, mainly due to experience — Alex Givens and Ben Brown are the most experienced members of the group.

Givens, the right tackle, is arguably Ole Miss’ best returning lineman had back surgery prior to fall camp. He is expected back before the opener against Memphis but the Rebels need him fully healthy to be successful. In his absence in fall camp Michael Howard, a former tight end, who has done well to fill in for the injured Givens. Royce Newman, Eli Johnson, Brown and Bryce Matthews round out the rest of the line.

Expect to see a much different offense than years prior. Ole Miss will have to rely on the run game early due to lack of experience from its quarterback but by the end of the year Corral should be slinging it just fine. It would not shock me if Ole Miss had two 1,000-yard rushers in 2019.

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