From Ole Miss Rebels On SI · · 1m 40s
Ole Miss vs Charlotte: three bold calls
A No. 9 team, a beat-up backfield, and an opponent that just lost to an FCS school. Here's what tonight should look like.
In brief
A No. 9 team, a beat-up backfield, and an opponent that just lost to an FCS school. Here's what tonight should look like. Charlotte is a rest stop before the SEC grind, so the story tonight is who plays after the starters sit, not the final score. Originally reported by Ole Miss Rebels On SI.
Rebels open at home
Ole Miss hosts Charlotte at 6:45 tonight, the first home game of the season, coming off a 41-38 win over Louisville.
A tune-up, not a test
The game is a warm-up for the SEC schedule. Ole Miss wants it clean and quiet, with banged-up players like Kewan Lacy getting a breather.
The mismatch on paper
Ole Miss sits at No. 9 in the AP poll after beating No. 24 Louisville. Charlotte is unranked and just lost to The Citadel, an FCS team.
Starters out by the fourth
Prediction one: the talent gap builds a big early lead, and in a week where recovery matters, the first team does not stick around.
“I don't expect them to stay in for long.”
Protect the Heisman arm
Chambliss threw for nearly 400 yards and four touchdowns against Louisville. With Heisman talk building, meaningless reps are pure risk.
“he's going to need to stay healthy, and you can't secure that by playing nearly meaningless reps”
Backup backs get their shot
Prediction two: if Lacy is limited, transfers Makhi Frazier and JT Lindsey carry the load. Neither shone against Louisville, but Charlotte's defense is far softer.
Young depth sees the field
Prediction three: with starters resting, the reserves finally play. Deuce Knight, Shekai Mills-Knight, Caleb Cunningham and Landon Barnes are all waiting.
The only real question
Nobody doubts Ole Miss wins. What fans are watching for is which new faces get snaps and hint at next year's rotation.
“The only question is who all gets the chance to play tonight.”
Here's the gist
Charlotte is a rest stop before the SEC grind, so the story tonight is who plays after the starters sit, not the final score.
