From Ole Miss Rebels On SI · · 2m
Four Things That Decide Ole Miss vs. Charlotte
Ole Miss survived Louisville by three, and Week Two is less about Charlotte than about what still needs fixing.
In brief
Ole Miss survived Louisville by three, and Week Two is less about Charlotte than about what still needs fixing. A blowout is only useful if Ole Miss uses it to fix the defense, spread the ball around, and rest the players it needs for LSU. Originally reported by Ole Miss Rebels On SI.
Home opener, week two
Ole Miss is 1-0, Charlotte is 0-1, and this is the Rebels' first home game of the 2026 season.
They survived Louisville
The Rebels beat No. 24 Louisville 41-38 in Nashville, with Lucas Carneiro hitting the game-winning kick.
The defense got lost
Ole Miss defensive backs and linebackers looked confused for stretches of the second half. Pete Golding gets a low-stakes week to fix the communication before LSU.
“many times the Rebels' defensive backs and linebackers looked lost in the second half”
An offensive line in flux
Injuries forced the Rebels to shuffle tackles after Delano Townsend was shaken up against the Cardinals.
The run game stalled
Kewan Lacy could not get going while healthy, and Makhi Frazier and JT Lindsay found nothing downfield either. Run blocking is the first thing to prove in Week Two.
“It was tough sledding the rest of the way”
A three-man show
Week One belonged to Deuce Alexander, Caleb Odom and Trinidad Chambliss. The rest of the receiver room was quiet.
Widen the passing tree
Caleb Cunningham, Johntay Cook and Horatio Fields should ease into the season here. Chambliss needs reps with more targets before SEC play starts.
The injury list matters
Ole Miss got beat up in Nashville. Kewan Lacy, Antonio Kite, Keaton Thomas and Sharif Denson all need to be available for LSU in Week Three.
Rest the starters
The Rebels are heavy favorites. If the game is decided early, sitting key players is the smarter use of the afternoon.
“If the Rebels can use the Week Two matchup as an opportunity to sit some of their key players for LSU, they should”
Deuce Knight debuts
The Auburn transfer should finally see the field. Getting the highly touted quarterback real reps now is insurance against an emergency later.
The big picture
A blowout is only useful if Ole Miss uses it to fix the defense, spread the ball around, and rest the players it needs for LSU.
