Week 12 in college football is almost here, and, honestly, everyone’s buzzing about Ole Miss vs. Oklahoma. That’s not surprising—it’s shaping up to be a real clash, with Oklahoma’s rock-solid defense going up against an Ole Miss offense that’s been totally reimagined.
Oklahoma’s defense kept most of its core from last season, when they finished among the top 10 in the country. Ole Miss, on the other hand, has a new offensive coordinator—John David Baker—and he’s made it clear he wants to run the ball, especially with Kewan Lacy in the backfield.
So, will Oklahoma’s defense be able to shut down Lacy and the Rebels’ run game? That’s the burning question.
Oklahoma’s Defensive Strengths
Let’s talk about Oklahoma’s defensive line. They’re tough, and they’re especially good at stopping the run.
Junior pass rusher Taylor Wein is coming off a season where, even though he only notched 39 tackles, 15 of those were tackles for loss. That’s a guy who knows how to break up a play before it even starts.
On the opposite side, Adepoju Adebawore is another headache for offenses. He finished his senior year with 17 tackles, and 5.5 of those were for loss.
Both bring a ton of pressure off the edges. Together, they’re a tough duo for any offensive line to handle.
Experienced Interior Linemen
While the edges are a bit younger, Oklahoma’s interior linemen have been around the block. David Stone and Jayden Jackson racked up over 100 tackles last season between them, with nearly 20 tackles for loss.
They’re the ones plugging up the middle, making it tough for any running back to find daylight. Their knack for closing gaps could be a huge factor against Lacy.
Ole Miss’ Offensive Strategy
John David Baker is all in on the run game this year. He wants to use Kewan Lacy to grind down Oklahoma’s defense.
But with how strong Oklahoma is up front, Baker’s going to have to get creative if he wants to get anything going on the ground.
Utilizing the Perimeter
One option? Attack the edges. If Ole Miss can get Oklahoma’s big guys moving side to side with speed options or jet sweeps, they might wear them down.
That could mean Lacy or quarterback Trindad Chambliss bouncing outside, or even wide receiver Deuce Alexander taking a few jet sweeps. The hope is to stretch the defense thin and maybe break off a big run or two.
Opening Up the Middle
If Ole Miss can make those outside runs work, the middle might start to open up. That’s when Lacy could really get rolling.
It’s a bit of a chess match—soften the edges, then hit the heart of the defense when the time’s right.
The Importance of Adaptability
If Ole Miss wants to pull this off, they’ll have to stay flexible. There’s just no way around it.
The Rebels need to be ready to switch things up, depending on what Oklahoma’s defense throws at them. If the perimeter runs get stuffed, Baker will need a backup plan, and fast.
Recognizing Defensive Plays
Another thing: Ole Miss’s offense has to be sharp when it comes to reading Oklahoma’s defensive looks. The Sooners’ line is aggressive and loves to make big plays.
If the Rebels can spot when Oklahoma’s loading the box or sending extra rushers, they’ll have a shot at calling the right play and maybe catching the defense off guard.
Conclusion
The Week 12 matchup between Ole Miss and Oklahoma looks like it could be a wild one. Both teams have plenty to prove, and honestly, there’s a lot riding on how they match up.
Oklahoma’s defense, especially with Taylor Wein and Adepoju Adebawore up front, isn’t going to make things easy for Ole Miss. The Rebels have been shaking things up on offense, though, and if they can spread the field—maybe mix things up with some creativity—they might just wear down the Sooners’ defense over four quarters.
It really feels like this one could swing either way, depending on which team manages to set the tone early. If you’re curious about how Oklahoma’s run defense might impact the game, check out the full article on Yahoo Sports.
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