No. 6 Mississippi Hosts Middle Tennessee Following Dominant Opener, Offensive Surge
Jaxson Dart and the Ole Miss offense were unstoppable in their season opener, but they now face a tougher challenge as they prepare for Middle Tennessee. The Rebels (1-0) cruised to a 76-0 victory over Furman, an FCS opponent, where Dart showcased his skills with pinpoint accuracy. Now, they’ll take on six-touchdown underdog Middle Tennessee (1-0) on Saturday, with expectations of another strong performance.
In their opener, Ole Miss accumulated a staggering 772 total yards, with Dart passing for 418 yards and five touchdowns — all in the first half. However, this scenario isn’t new. Last season, the Rebels similarly overwhelmed Mercer with 667 yards and 73 points but then found themselves trailing at halftime in their second game against Tulane before ultimately pulling out a 37-20 win.
For a team eyeing a playoff run, consistent performance is crucial. Head coach Lane Kiffin reminded his squad that success must come every week, noting the importance of staying focused despite the different opponent and circumstances.
Middle Tennessee, coming off a 4-8 season, poses a different challenge. While they struggled last year, they did manage to push Missouri in a 23-19 loss. The Blue Raiders will need to improve drastically to compete with Ole Miss, who are looking to maintain momentum after such a dominant opener.
Defensive Dominance
Ole Miss also impressed on defense, registering 16 tackles for loss against Furman — their most in a game since 2000. New transfers played a huge role in that success, with newcomers accounting for 12 of those tackles for loss. Freshman Kam Franklin contributed three, and transfer linebacker Chris Paul Jr. added 2 1/2. The defense also recorded four sacks, showcasing a formidable front line.
Defensive tackle Walter Nolen, a transfer from Texas A&M, expressed confidence in the unit, stating, “I feel like we’ve got one of the best D-lines, if not in the country, I know for sure in the SEC.”
Middle Tennessee’s New Leadership
Middle Tennessee head coach Derek Mason is no stranger to the SEC, having served as Vanderbilt’s head coach from 2014-2020, followed by a stint as Auburn’s defensive coordinator. Mason, who worked for the SEC Network last season, understands the intensity of coaching in the SEC and is eager to guide his team in such a challenging environment.
“I’ve always tried to pretend that they’re rooting for me,” Mason joked about playing in hostile SEC stadiums. His team will need to improve from last week’s narrow 32-25 victory over Tennessee Tech, where Frank Peasant’s 30-yard touchdown run with just 16 seconds left secured the win.
Backup QB Ready to Shine
Should Ole Miss take control early, backup quarterback Austin Simmons could see more playing time. Simmons, who reclassified as a 17-year-old, made an impressive debut, throwing a 35-yard touchdown on his first pass. He finished 7-of-16 for 111 yards and is eager to build on that performance.
Milestone Starts
The game will also be a milestone for two players. Ole Miss offensive lineman Jeremy James set the school record with his 50th career start last week. Middle Tennessee safety Brendon Harris, a seventh-year player and transfer from Wake Forest, will also make his 50th career start alongside teammate Alex Williams, who is also in his seventh year.
With Ole Miss looking to build on their explosive start and Middle Tennessee aiming to fix the issues exposed in their opener, Saturday’s game offers plenty of intrigue as the Rebels continue their quest for a playoff berth.
