On paper, Saturday night’s visit from South Carolina in Oxford, Miss., should be a routine win for No. 7 Ole Miss.
After a 34-26 victory last week at then-No. 13 Oklahoma, the Rebels are 7-1 overall, 4-1 in the Southeastern Conference and in good shape to make the College Football Playoff as long as they handle business in the last four games of the regular season.
But Rebels coach Lane Kiffin probably isn’t the guy you want to inform that his team started the week as a 12 1/2-point favorite against the Gamecocks (3-5, 1-5).
“Very, very talented and dangerous team that we’re playing, and one that had Alabama beat all the way until the end of the game,” Kiffin said. “You see every week around the country but especially in this conference, how hard the games are.”
South Carolina could have entered this game off a season-saving triumph over No. 4 Alabama last week. Instead, the Gamecocks gave up a 22-14 lead within the final 2 1/2 minutes and lost 29-22, their third straight defeat and one that puts the team’s hopes of even a minor bowl bid in jeopardy.
With a trip to No. 3 Texas A&M on the docket after a bye week, the Gamecocks must figure out a way to beat a Top 10 team on the road, or a season that started with them ranked 13th will end after their Nov. 29 rivalry game with Clemson.
South Carolina coach Shane Beamer lamented that his team played well but still came up short against Alabama. His big concern entering the contest was not allowing the disappointment of that result to color the Gamecocks’ preparation for this week.
“Not preparing the right way can guarantee you have no chance,” he said. “We’re gonna continue to pour into them and continue to coach.”
A lack of offense has been the Gamecocks’ biggest issue. They’ve averaged only 16.8 points in SEC games, managing 10 or less three times. Quarterback LaNorris Sellers has thrown just six touchdown passes a year after tossing 18, and no Gamecock has rushed for 300 yards this season, putting more pressure on Sellers.
On the other sideline, Ole Miss has constructed another explosive offense, as Kiffin has gotten excellent work from quarterback Trinidad Chambliss. He threw for 315 yards and the go-ahead touchdown early in the fourth quarter at Oklahoma.
The transfer from Division II Ferris State has thrown only one interception in 210 passes and has 2,160 yards of total offense since Week 3. He’s the first Rebel QB since Eli Manning in 2001 to collect at least 250 yards passing in each of his first six starts.
“We find ways to win all season,” Chambliss said. “We’ve had a pretty good season so far.”
Ole Miss has gotten a good year from Missouri transfer Kewan Lacy, who’s rushed for 696 yards and 12 touchdowns. Five receivers have caught between 19 and 26 passes, with Harrison Wallace III averaging 17.8 yards per catch and Cayden Lee and Dae’Quan Wright each averaging 18.4.
–Field Level Media
