The oddsmakers in Las Vegas are excited about this week.
Lane Kiffin and the Mississippi Rebels will travel to Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday to battle Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Coach Kiffin is seeking to be the first former assistant to defeat Saban. He upgraded the Crimson Tide’s offense from 2014 to 2016, helping the program win three Southeastern Conference titles and a national championship in 2015.
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Kiffin has a Heisman frontrunner at quarterback (Matt Corral) and a high-powered offense.
Ole Miss looks to show its defense is much improved. Alabama maintained its intensity versus Southern Mississippi in a 63-14 victory, but Kiffin offers a different test.
Chris Doering, a former wide receiver for the Florida Gators, is going with the Rebels.
As an analyst for ESPN’s SEC Network, he told Barrett Sallee and Tom Luginbill on College Sports via SiriusXM (Channel 84) that Ole Miss will beat Alabama.
“I think Ole Miss goes to Tuscaloosa on Saturday and beats Alabama.”
– @ChrisDoering on @SXMCollege 84 with me and @TomLuginbill
— Barrett Sallee (@BarrettSallee) September 26, 2021
Mississippi defeated the Crimson Tide, 43-37, in 2015 at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Chad Kelly totaled four touchdowns at quarterback, including one that bounced off Minkah Fitzpatrick’s helmet into the hands of Quincy Adeboyejo for a score.
Kiffin’s offense is averaging 52.7 points per game. Matt Corral has 14 total touchdowns, while Snoop Connor leads Mississippi’s running backs with three scores. Ole Miss’ defense has allowed 20.7 points per matchup. Sam Williams, a senior defensive lineman, leads the team for sacks (four) and tackles for loss (four). He will need other players to step up and help him.
Doering referred to those who consider Alabama elite as ‘clowns‘ after its close win over Florida.
CBS Sports will have the call as the game features two Heisman contenders.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
