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<\/a><\/p>\nOXFORD, MISSISSIPPI – OCTOBER 17: Trinidad Chambliss #6 of the Mississippi Rebels carries the ball against the Missouri Tigers at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on October 17, 2026 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Justin Ford\/Getty Images) Getty Images<\/p>\n
Ole Miss has one of the most experienced and dangerous quarterbacks in the nation in Trinidad Chambliss, who has been electric after taking over the starting role during the middle of last season, currently ranking third in the Heisman Trophy odds at FanDuel.<\/p>\n
Through six games, he has accumulated 1,676 yards on a 67.6 completion percentage with 14 touchdowns and four interceptions.<\/p>\n
However, Chambliss does his best work when navigating the pocket. His ability to extend plays and use his legs makes him extremely difficult to defend. You can\u2019t just get pressure on him, you must maintain rush-lane integrity and perhaps even devote a spy to defending him, otherwise he will make plays with his legs.<\/p>\n
Facing one of the sports biggest stars, the Texas defense has a monumental challenges on Saturday. The priority has to be making the offense one dimensional and maintaining discipline when rushing the passer.<\/p>\n
OXFORD, MS – OCTOBER 17: Ole Miss Rebels running back Kewan Lacy (5) leaps over a Missouri defender during the game between the Ole Miss Rebels and the Missouri Tigers on October 17, 2026 at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, MS. (Photo by Jason Homan\/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Icon Sportswire via Getty Images<\/p>\n Joining Chambliss in the backfield is another star in running back Kewan Lacy. A year ago, Lacy was recognized as an All-American behind his 1,567 rushing yards and 24 touchdowns. Through five games, with one missed due to injury, he has recorded 352 rushing yards and five touchdowns while averaging 5.7 yards per attempt.<\/p>\n Lacy has shown to be tough and injury-prone. He missed a game earlier this season thanks to a shoulder injury and was banged up against Missouri with a lower-body issue. However, neither stopped him. Despite missing most of the second quarter last Saturday, he still rushed for a season-high 122 yards on 16 carries.<\/p>\n If Lacy can manage to play the full game on Saturday, he is lethal and will be playing with an extra chip on his shoulder.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s going to mean a lot, just coming back home,\u201d Lacey said. \u201cIt\u2019s a hometown game, so I\u2019m excited to have all my family, friends there.\u201d<\/p>\n The Lancaster product was a Texas fan during his childhood and actually wanted to become a Longhorn, but he ended up signing with Missouri after Texas failed to extend an offer in the 2024 recruiting cycle, signing Jerrick Gibson and Christian Clark instead.<\/p>\n \u201cI wanted to commit to UT,\u201d Lacy said at SEC Media Days in July. \u201cThat was my dream my freshman year, I wanted to go to Texas. But my process throughout my high school career, I never really got an opportunity from them.\u201d<\/p>\n Come Saturday, Lacy will have a huge opportunity to showcase what the Longhorns missed out on. If he can\u2019t go, the Rebels will turn to transfer Mekhi Frazier and freshman JT Lindsey to handle the load. Frazier arrived on campus this past season after leading Michigan State in rushing yards last year.<\/p>\n He\u2019s recorded 254 yards on 45 carries this season.<\/p>\n NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – SEPTEMBER 6: Deuce Alexander #1 of the Ole Miss Rebels celebrates scoring a touchdown during a game between the Ole Miss Rebels and the Louisville Cardinals at Nissan Stadium on September 6, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Roger Wimmer\/ISI Photos\/ISI Photos via Getty Images) ISI Photos via Getty Images<\/p>\n The leading threat in the pass game is Deuce Alexander, but the Rebels possess a deep and talented wide out room with plenty of players that can help move the ball.<\/p>\n Alexander caught 44 passes for 684 yards and two touchdowns last year behind second-round draft pick De\u2019Zhaun Stribling, while adding 122 yards on the ground. This season as WR1, he\u2019s nearly reached that mark halfway through the year with 35 catches for 523 yards and five touchdowns.<\/p>\n At 14.9 yards per catch, Alexander is a downfield threat that can generate chunk plays in a hurry. He started his career in the slot but has emerged as a player that can use his speed from any point on the field. His top-end speed is elite and forces the defense to shade over to prevent the deep ball.<\/p>\n Behind Alexander are Traylon Ray and Horatio Fields, who have combined for 39 catches and 509 yards this season. Ray is another downfield option while Fields is a more reliable target that can shoulder the load when defenses prioritize Alexander and Ray.<\/p>\n Former Longhorn Johntay Cook is also on the roster and has recorded eight catches for 74 yards and a score.<\/p>\n OXFORD, MS – SEPTEMBER 19: Ole Miss Rebels tight end Caleb Odom (4) catches a pass during a game between the Ole Miss Rebels and the LSU Tigers on September 19, 2026, at Vaught Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by John Korduner\/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Icon Sportswire via Getty Images<\/p>\n Tight end Caleb Odom is another reliable threat for Chambliss. In five games, he\u2019s tallied 21 catches for 267 yards and two touchdowns, which slots him second on the team in receptions.<\/p>\n Odom is a drive-extending pass catcher. At 12.7 yards per reception and a season long of 35 yards, he\u2019s not going to decimate a defense down the field, but rather provide Chambliss with an intermediate option.<\/p>\n Most importantly, Odom can attack the middle of the field and provide matchup problems when opposing defense are forced to prioritize Alexander or stack the box to stop Lacy.<\/p>\n The 6\u20195, 245-pound junior is in his second season at Ole Miss after appearing in 12 games for Alabama as a freshman in 2024. He\u2019s stepped up dramatically after seeing just a handful of targets last year and has positioned himself as a legitimate threat this season.<\/p>\n If you can somehow stop the run, minimize Chambliss\u2019 legs, and cover the wideouts, Odom can decimate you on quick passes and intermediate throws.<\/p>\n The Ole Miss offensive line comes to Austin riding high after one of the best performances of the season last week. The Rebels ran for 257 yards while averaging 6.7 yards per carry last week, and the front five as a whole graded as the highest unit in the country, according to Pro Football Network.<\/p>\n Heading into the year, the offensive line had holes to fill thanks to two NFL departures. A host of transfers were brought in and have done a solid job in six games.<\/p>\n Leading the way is right guard Patrick Kutas, while left tackle Terez Davis is another steady presence on the other side of the line.<\/p>\n Disrupting the line up front will be key to stopping the run and disrupting Chambliss. If Texas can win up front without needing to stack the box, the Longhorn defense will be in a good spot.<\/p>\n As a whole, the offense for Ole Miss can attack a defense in a variety of ways. With elite skill position players that can rack up huge plays and one of the best quarterbacks in the country, the Longhorn defense has their work cut out for them.<\/p>\n Winning individual battles will be key on Saturday. With a multi-dimensional offense that can attack you in so many different ways, Muschamp will need to pick and choose who he leaves on an island and hope that they succeed.<\/p>\n The defense is headed by Bryan Brown, who is the sole defensive coordinator after sharing the role with Golding before Golding\u2019s promotion.<\/p>\n Though Brown is the defensive coordinator, this unit is heavily influenced by Golding, who likes to use a mix of twists and stunts to create pressure and stop the run game up front. This year, the unit has been middle of the pack in conference play.<\/p>\n The unit suffocated Missouri and Vanderbilt, but also gave up 52 to Florida. Running the ball has proven most effective against Ole Miss, a part of the game Texas hasn\u2019t looked exceptional at.<\/p>\n Here are the key Rebels to keep an eye on.<\/p>\n NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – SEPTEMBER 6: Jaylon Braxton #2, Jehiem Oatis #9, Will Echoles #52, and Luke Ferrelli #12 of the Ole Miss Rebels during a game between the Ole Miss Rebels and the Louisville Cardinals at Nissan Stadium on September 6, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Roger Wimmer\/ISI Photos\/ISI Photos via Getty Images) ISI Photos via Getty Images<\/p>\n Leading the charge up front is defensive tackle Will Echoles, an established disruptor. As a sophomore last season, Echoles was recognized as first-team All-SEC, according to the AP, after registering five sacks, 11.5 tackles for loss, and 68 total tackles. According to Pro Football Focus, he led the Power Four in pressures and defensive stops.<\/p>\n When Echoles isn\u2019t getting pressure, he utilizes his hands very well. Last season, he batted down the ninth-most passes among all defensive linemen in college football.<\/p>\n This season, he\u2019s already gotten off to a hot start with 18 tackles and 1.5 sacks. He will undoubtedly impact the game so ensuring Echoles doesn\u2019t do so routinely will be key for the Longhorn offense.<\/p>\n On the edge, Cam Franklin and Blake Purchase can disrupt plays if not blocked properly. Purchase leads the team with 3.5 sacks while also adding 23 tackles and a forced fumble. He shined against Vanderbilt with a two-sack performance.<\/p>\n If the Longhorns can\u2019t keep a clean pocket, the Texas offense will struggle. The Ole Miss front four isn\u2019t the most talented in the conference, but still has more than enough players to attack inside or on the edge.<\/p>\n NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – SEPTEMBER 6: Lincoln Kienholz #3 of the Louisville Cardinals is tackled by Luke Ferrelli #12 of the Ole Miss Rebels during a game between the Ole Miss Rebels and the Louisville Cardinals at Nissan Stadium on September 6, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Roger Wimmer\/ISI Photos\/ISI Photos via Getty Images) ISI Photos via Getty Images<\/p>\n The teeth of the defense is the linebacker room. Led by Suntarine Perkins with heavy contributions from Luke Ferrelli, Keaton Thomas, and Tah\u2019j Butler, this group is the best unit in Golding\u2019s defense.<\/p>\n Perkins is a hybrid-style player with great speed and athleticism. He\u2019s good in coverage and can rush the passer. Two years ago he recorded 10.5 sacks for the Rebels.<\/p>\n Ferrelli is the leading tackler for the Rebels and has become a great piece for Golding after a controversial offseason in which Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney accused Golding of tampering after Ferrelli committed to the Tigers, but changed his mind and opted to join Golding. Originally at Cal, Ferrelli was the ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year last season and has continued that success with a team leading 39 tackles in addition to two sacks.<\/p>\n Thomas has been strong against the run and in tackling but has struggled in pass coverage, something Texas can exploit come Saturday.<\/p>\n As a whole, the linebackers have experience, top end talent, and depth making them an important part of the Ole Miss defense.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n