4 Takeaways From Ole Miss’ SEC Win Over Oklahoma

[ad_1] Ole Miss walked into Norman and turned a playoff hopeful right into a spotlight reel.

In a matchup that felt like a Faculty Soccer Playoff preview, the Rebels flexed their offensive firepower, knocking off Oklahoma in an announcement win that might reshape the postseason image.

Listed below are my takeaways:

1. Power dominates power

Heading into this matchup, Oklahoma ranked No. 3 in scoring protection (9.4 factors per recreation), whereas Ole Miss ranked ninth in whole offense, averaging greater than 37 factors per recreation.

One thing needed to give.

The Rebels dropped 34 factors on the Sooners' vaunted protection on this recreation. Lane Kiffin's group scored on their first two possessions of the sport and ran twice as many performs within the first quarter (22) because the Sooners (11).

Ole Miss transformed on 9 of 21 third-down makes an attempt and didn't flip the ball over towards an Oklahoma protection that has been horrendous at taking the ball away from opponents this season.

Security Wydett Williams Jr. #16 of the Ole Miss Rebels knocks a move out of the attain of vast receiver Deion Burks #4 of the Oklahoma Sooners. (Picture by Brian Bahr/Getty Photos)

2. Trinidad Chambliss outplays John Mateer in highly-anticipated QB battle

Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss entered Saturday's matchup averaging greater than 267 whole yards per recreation, with 221.3 coming by means of the air. On the opposite facet, Oklahoma QB John Mateer has put up almost 300 yards of whole offense per recreation, with 261.2 within the passing recreation.

This recreation was deemed as one of the vital anticipated QB matchups of the week, and ultimately, it was Chambliss and the Rebels' offense that proved not simply proficient however resilient.

The previous Ferris State standout put collectively his fourth 300-yard passing efficiency in eight video games and led the Rebels to their first street win towards a ranked SEC opponent within the Lane Kiffin period.

Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss #6 of the Ole Miss Rebels throws towards the Oklahoma Sooners. (Picture by Brian Bahr/Getty Photos)

3. Oklahoma will get large contributions from its skill-position gamers, but it surely wasn't sufficient

Oklahoma working again Xavier Robinson carried the ball 9 occasions for a game-high 109 yards and two touchdowns, whereas vast receiver Isaiah Sategna III caught six passes for 131 yards and a rating. Each delivered explosive performs, as Robinson broke off a 65-yard landing run halfway by means of the third quarter, and Sategna hauled in a 76-yard scoring move early within the second.

However regardless of a pair of explosive performances from Robinson and Sategna, the Sooners' protection could not maintain up their finish, giving up 431 yards to the Rebels within the loss.

4. This had the texture of a Faculty Soccer Playoff play-in recreation

With six SEC groups getting into the day with one loss or fewer, this recreation was essential for sustaining a path to the CFP. The SEC may have as many as 4 groups make the CFP this season, however that fourth group will nearly definitely should be a 10-win program with not less than two top-10 wins and two top-10 defeats.

Ole Miss is now 7-1 and has an opportunity to make the SEC Championship recreation, whereas the Sooners now have two losses, one among which got here towards a Texas group that has but to appear to be the preseason No. 1 group within the nation it was anticipated to be.

Oklahoma should now win out to make the CFP, however with 4 consecutive video games towards ranked opponents left on the schedule, the Sooners' power of file may simply be robust sufficient to earn an invite with a 10-win season.

4 ½. Ole Miss is sweet sufficient to win the nationwide title

The Rebels’ solely loss this season got here towards a Georgia group that also appears to be like like a nationwide title contender — and Ole Miss almost defeated Kirby Good’s squad on the street.

Lane Kiffin’s group doesn’t face one other ranked opponent the remainder of the best way, with its hardest remaining check possible coming within the Egg Bowl towards Mississippi State. If Alabama and Texas A&M each end SEC play undefeated, it’s straightforward to examine Ole Miss not solely incomes its first Faculty Soccer Playoff invitation but in addition mounting a critical run on the nationwide championship.

RJ Younger is a nationwide faculty soccer author and analyst for FOX Sports activities. Comply with him @RJ_Young.

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