Ole Miss expect to challenge

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the 11th in a series of previews of the 2016 SEC football teams:
MISSISSIPPI – It will be hard for Ole Miss to get much better under Hugh Freeze.
That is not meant to be critical of the Rebels who have improved by one win the past four seasons.
Since 2012, the Rebels have gone 7-6, 8-5, 9-4 and then 10-3 last season.
But the only way Ole Miss can go 11-2 in 2016 is if the Rebels only lose to Alabama and LSU and win their bowl game.
The Rebels won 10 games for the first time since 2003, finishing with a 48-20 win over Oklahoma State in the Allstate Sugar Bowl.
This is the third time in history that Ole Miss was the only team to beat the eventual national champion.
Ole Miss handed Notre Dame its only loss in 1977 and Florida its only defeat in 2008.
So what does that mean for 2016?
Even with the loss of stars like Robert Nkemdiche, Laquon Treadwell and Laremy Tunsil, Ole Miss still has quarterback Chad Kelly.
Kelly led the SEC last year with more than 4,000 passing yards and 31 touchdowns.
Kelly is at his best when throwing the ball, but he also gained 500 yards on the ground and 10 touchdowns.
Without Treadwell to catch the ball, Ole Miss is still in good hands with wide receivers Quincy Adeboyejo and Damore’ea Stringfellow, and tight end Evan Engram – who three players combined for more than 1,500 yards last season.
Running backs Akeem Judd and Jordan Wilkins both averaged more than 5.0 yards per carry in backup roles last year.
With the exit of Tunsil, the offensive line is the biggest area of concern on offense, but Greg Little could stand big for the Rebels.
Then without Nkemdiche, the defensive line will need to improve, but Marquis Haynes provides a pass rush threat off the edge. His 10 sacks last year tied a school record.
Transfers Rommel Mageo and Detric Bing-Dukes will help the linebacker along with junior DeMaerquis Gates who led the team with 76 tackles.
Tony Conner and C.J. Hampton are expected to lead the secondary.
So with so many questions on defense, can the Rebel offense led the way to the SEC West title?
Ole Miss opens the season against Florida State in Orlando – a tough test that could be a loss.
The Rebels will rebound against Wofford, but then Alabama will want revenge over two straight losses to Ole Miss.
After a loss to the Crimson Tide, the Rebels will then take on the Georgia Bulldogs in a must-win game.
A revenge game against Memphis is followed by a road trip to Arkansas.
If the Rebels only drop games to FSU and Alabama, Ole Miss should be 4-2 heading to LSU.
The Rebels’ successful season depends on how they do against LSU and Auburn.
Two wins and Ole Miss is in the hunt – two losses and all hopes are dashed.
Georgia Southern is a talented team, but the Rebels should grab a win to set up late-season momentum to face Texas A&M, Vanderbilt and Mississippi State.
If the Rebels can win nine regular season games for the third straight season, and come up with a bowl victory, it will be a huge achievement considering the schedule.