SEC Football - 2021 Mississippi Rebels Preview
Our Mississippi Rebels preview 2021 notes that for the first time since 2015 this team made it to a bowl game. In 2020, after going 4-5 and finishing fifth in the SEC West, Mississippi beat Indiana 26-20 in the Outback Bowl. Last season, which was the first for head coach Lane Kiffin, was one of contrast between this team’s offense and defense. In the SEC, the Rebel offense ranked first in total yards with 555.5 PG (3rd Nationally) and third in points with 39.2 PG (14th Nationally). However, on defense, Mississippi ranked 14th in the SEC in yards allowed at 519.0 PG (126th Nationally) and 14th in points allowed at 38.3 PG (117th Nationally).
Mississippi Offense
In 2020, quarterback Matt Corral passed for 3,337 yards and rushed for 506 more, tossing 29 TDs and running for four more. But there’s room for improvement, as he threw 14 picks. Still, expect to hear the name Corral and Heisman in the same sentence this year. WR Dontario Drummond is the top returning receiver from 2020 after grabbing 25 passes and scoring seven times. Wideouts Jonathan Mingo and Brayton Sanders are both solid pass catchers. Tight end Case Kelly is also a capable receiver. Last season, the trio made 50 catches for over 950 yards while scoring a total of eight TDs.
All-SEC running back Jerrion Ealy, a dual threat, led the team with 147 rushes, 745 yards, nine rushing TDs, and an average of 5.1 YPA. Ealy also made 15 catches for 155 yards and one TD reception. RB Henry Parrish, who carried the ball 56 times for 263 yards and two touchdowns, will also contribute. He’s also an accomplished receiver. Four starters return to the line, which is led by stalwart left tackle Nick Broeker.
Mississippi Rebels Preview 2021 - Defense
Nine starters return to a defense that was exceptionally lacking. If the frontline show improvement, that will help this side of the ball greatly. The good news is it is expected that freshman Tyrone Malone and junior college transfers Isaiah Iton and Jamond Gordon will give the line a big physical presence, which is something it lacked last season. At Buck, Sam Williams returns. He’s solid having notched 39 tackles, four sacks, four TFL, and three QBH. Linebacker Lakia Henry is a sound presence. Last season, he recorded 62 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 2.5 TFL, and three QBH. Jacquez Jones and Momo Sanogo round out the unit. Last season, Sanogo was effective recording 60 tackles, one sack, three TFL, three PBU, and three QBH.
The secondary will benefit from having Otis Reese at Star all season. Last year, the Georgia transfer was cleared to play for the Rebels late in the season. In three games, he was impressive recording 24 tackles, one PBU, and one INT. Expect a lot more from him this season. Free safety A.J. Finley notched two TFL, seven PBU, three INTs, and two QBH while making 62 tackles. Returning, corner Keidron Smith recorded 64 tackles, six PBU, and one INT. This unit is promising.
Specialists
Punter Mac Brown returns for one more season after averaging 46.6 YPP and placing eight-of-27 within the 20-yard-line. He boomed 11 kicks of 50-plus yards. Our Mississippi Rebels preview 2021 observes that placekicking was an issue last season, as Luke Logan went 45-of-48 in extra points and hit just 60 percent of his field goals. Caden Costa, the seventh-ranked placekicking recruit, will try to remedy the situation. Ealy will bring back kicks once again. Last season, he averaged 28.9 YPR while bringing one back 100 yards for a score. Drummond is back to handle punts after averaging 9.0 YPR.
Mississippi Rebels Preview 2021 - Projection
Our Mississippi Rebels preview 2021 envisions that coach Kiffin’s initial rebuilding program will show results. The Rebels have a very kind schedule that includes Cincinnati, Austin Peavy, and Tulane out-of-conference and Mississippi State, Tennessee, and Arkansas in-conference. Alabama, Texas A&M, and LSU offer major challenges. Eight wins are likely and nine are possible.
SEC Football - Mississippi Rebels 2021 - Predictions:
Fourth Place - SEC West
Gator Bowl vs Miami