Ole Miss wide receiver A.J. Brown scores on a 37-yard touchdown catch with Southern Illinois safety Michael Elbert covering him during last week's game in Oxford, Miss.NO. 1 ALABAMA (2-0, 0-0 SEC) AT OLE MISS (2-0, 0-0)
7 p.m. at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Miss.
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THE MATCHUP
Ole Miss may have the best trio of receivers in the country with preseason All-American A.J. Brown, DaMarkus Lodge and D.K. Metcalf, who certainly have not disappointed as the Rebels have scored 123 points in their first two games. Alabama, of course, lost six defensive backs from last season's team, including five who were NFL draft picks, and while facing the passing offenses of Louisville and Arkansas State provided decent tests the past two weeks, quarterback Jordan Ta'amu and the Rebels should be a stiffer challenge in this Southeastern Conference opener. "I think we've made a lot of progress and that players have developed confidence in what they're supposed to do," Alabama coach Nick Saban said of his secondary. "We're just going to continue to work to improve. We are going to face some very good receivers and a very good quarterback and a very prolific offensive team that has a lot of weapons. It's going to be really important for those guys to perform well in this game and take the challenge and go out there and play with confidence and togetherness."
ONE TO WATCH
There were plenty of folks who questioned Las Vegas oddsmakers instilling Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa as a Heisman Trophy favorite this season before he made his first collegiate start, but that's why Vegas has the really nice hotels. Tagovailoa has been spectacular so far, throwing for six touchdowns and no interceptions while compiling a passer rating of 237.2. "It starts with all the tools he has around him," Ole Miss coach Matt Luke said. "He's got a good offensive line and good receivers and good backs and obviously good coaches, and then you've got him making good decisions. That's what is very impressive to me, his decision-making. When it does break down, he is able to extend the play with his feet while keeping his eyes down the field and keeping his composure. For a young quarterback, I think that's pretty special." Alabama has never opened a football season by scoring 50 or more points in each of its first three games but has that chance tonight.
IN THE END
Alabama waxed Louisville in Orlando, Florida, before humbling Arkansas State at Bryant-Denny Stadium. This will be the first true road game for the 2018 Crimson Tide, with Vaught-Hemingway Stadium having housed a close Alabama win two years ago and a close Rebels upset triumph four years ago. It's hard to imagine the points not piling up in this one, though Ole Miss will not have nearly as much fun as its far more complete counterpart. "It's a tough place to play, and it's going to be challenging for us to go on the road," Saban said. "Everybody needs to step up the level of preparation and performance when you get into league play, and that's our challenge."
PREDICTION
Alabama 55, Ole Miss 24