Five things to watch for during Ole Miss football's Grove Bowl spring game
OXFORD — Ole Miss football's third and final spring scrimmage is set for Saturday, when the Rebels welcome fans to Vaught-Hemingway Stadium for the annual Grove Bowl.
The event might mark the end of the Rebels' spring practice period – or it might not. Coach Lane Kiffin has another three practices available to him next week, but he floated the idea this week that Ole Miss might not use them due to injury issues.
Whether it acts as the final word or not, the Grove Bowl should prove to be instructive as we learn about yet another revamped Ole Miss roster and coaching staff. Here's what to watch for when the Rebels take the field on Saturday (2 p.m., SEC Network+).
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The quarterback battle
We can't preview the spring game without having the obligatory discussion of the quarterback position.
Returning starter Jaxson Dart has been taking the vast majority of the first-team reps for Ole Miss through the spring practice period with transfers Spencer Sanders and Walker Howard picking up what's left. Of course, there's a caveat to that: Sanders has been coming back from an injury for most of the spring, and the Rebels are limiting his reps.
It seems unlikely that Kiffin and his staff will put any more stock into the quarterbacks' Grove Bowl performances than what they've seen in 11 previous spring practice sessions, but this is nevertheless another opportunity for those three to impress as Kiffin looks to sort out the most important position on the field.
Pete Golding's new defensive system
The days of Ole Miss football's three-man defensive line configuration are over.
The Rebels will line up in a 4-2-5 shell on defense, and the Grove Bowl will offer most fans a first look at that new structure.
It's still early, but it appears that NC State transfer Joshua Harris will act as Ole Miss' second defensive tackle alongside JJ Pegues.
The Grove Bowl format
Kiffin wasn't exactly sure what format the Grove Bowl would take when he met with reporters on Tuesday.
Normally, he would allow his players to draft two teams and play the game that way. But Kiffin has reservations about doing that this spring because of the number of players sidelined by injury.
It's possible that the Rebels could revert to the more controlled offense-versus-defense approach. That's how Ole Miss has operated for each of its first two scrimmages this spring.
The kick returners
Ole Miss' first two spring scrimmages have offered us plenty of insight on the depth charts on offense and defense, but we haven't had as many opportunities to learn about the special teams.
Whether we get that chance on Saturday might depend on the format Kiffin chooses for the game.
The Rebels return Dayton Wade, who led them with 14 kick returns last season, as well as Jordan Watkins, who just about monopolized the punt-returning duties.
Is there a new addition on the roster that might challenge for either job?
Transfer WR Chris Marshall
It's been clear through the spring that Chris Marshall was a five-star prospect for a reason.
The wideout, who transferred to the Rebels after one season at Texas A&M, has jumped off the page with his athleticism.
If you're looking for someone not named Quinshon Judkins who might make a special play on Saturday, he's as good a bet as anyone.
David Eckert covers Ole Miss for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at deckert@gannett.com or reach him on Twitter @davideckert98.
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Ole Miss football Grove Bowl: Lane Kiffin weighs spring game options
