Oxford Faces a Running Challenge Ahead of Arkansas Clash
As the Ole Miss Rebels gear up for their big game against Arkansas this weekend, there’s a buzz in the air—though it’s a mixture of anticipation and a touch of concern. The Rebels have had some ups and downs on offense during their SEC play this season, and head coach Lane Kiffin has pinpointed one major area that really needs some work: run blocking.
Last week, when the Rebels went up against Oklahoma, they managed to rush for a mere 69 yards. Now, it’s important to note that the Sooners’ defense is no slouch; they’ve been tough against the run, allowing just over 100 yards per game on average. Even so, that doesn’t completely explain why Ole Miss struggled so much on the ground. Kiffin was clear in his assessment: “We’ve got to run block better, and that’s everybody.”
The Big Picture
What’s frustrating for fans is that run blocking is typically an area where the Rebels have excelled. Kiffin pointed out that their struggles aren’t just limited to the offensive line—it’s a team effort stretching all the way to the receivers and tight ends. “We’re not run blocking very well at receiver and tight end right now, which is discouraging because that’s something over our years of being here that we’ve done very well,” he explained.
This season, finding a consistent running game has been a challenge, appearing in multiple matchups. Even if we can give a nod to Oklahoma’s stingy defense, Kiffin believes the Rebels need to take a hard look at their own execution. “They do a good job. They stop a lot of people in running. But we didn’t block very well at tight end and receiver, and at times, not up front either. That’s a really bad combination against a really good run defense.”
Looking Ahead
Even with the 26-14 victory over Oklahoma, the Rebels know they’ll need more than just good plays to secure wins against Arkansas and Georgia in the upcoming weeks. The Razorbacks have been fairly solid against the run, giving up around 119 yards on the ground, which ranks them 37th in the country. If Ole Miss wants to come out on top in this matchup, they must address their run blocking issues.
The Game Day Details
As the clock ticks down to game day, excitement is building. The matchup against Arkansas kicks off at 11 a.m. CT on Saturday in Fayetteville. For fans wanting to catch all the action, the game will be televised on ESPN, giving everyone a front-row seat to see if the Rebels can shake off their run-blocking woes and rise to the challenge.
Final Thoughts
The Ole Miss Rebels are familiar with the stakes involved in competitive SEC play. As Coach Kiffin rallies his team, they’ll need not only to focus on their run game but also to bolster their overall teamwork and execution. With injuries reshaping their lineup in recent weeks, finding that cohesion is crucial. So, as the Rebels gear up for this important clash, all eyes will be on how they adapt and execute. Will they clean up their blocking issues and turn things around on the field? Only time will tell. But one thing is for sure—the fans will be cheering them on every step of the way!
