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Ole Miss Football: 3 reasons Rebels will make surprise playoff push in 2022

By Connor Muldowney

(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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Jan 2, 2021; Tampa, FL, USA; Mississippi Rebels defensive back Otis Reese (26) is congratulated as he intercepted the ball against the Indiana Hoosiers during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2021; Tampa, FL, USA; Mississippi Rebels defensive back Otis Reese (26) is congratulated as he intercepted the ball against the Indiana Hoosiers during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Defense continues rapid improvement

A couple of years ago, Ole Miss had one of the worst defenses in the country. Last season, it improved considerably but yet still wasn’t considered one of the best in the SEC.

Ole Miss went from one of the worst teams in FBS in 2020 to somewhat respectable in 2021. I know what you’re thinking, how is ranking 97th nationally in total yards allowed per game and 51st in scoring considered respectable? Well, when you look at the numbers from 2020 compared to 2021, the Rebel defense obviously got much better.

In fact, Ole Miss surrendered nearly 520 yards per game in 2020, including 312 through the air, while allowing 38.3 points per game. In 2021, the Rebels held opponents to 420 yards per game, just 230 through the air, and 24.7 points per game. That rapid improvement will continue in 2022.

DJ Durkin is gone, but Chris Partridge returns and Maurice Crum comes in with some valuable experience as a grad assistant at Notre Dame and then Western Kentucky’s defensive coordinator.

Expect the defense to continue to ascend up the national rankings, especially with Troy Brown, Ladarius Tennison, and Jared Ivey coming in from the transfer portal to replace some key departing players.

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