A view from the Ole Miss sideline entering visit from No. 5 Florida Gators

Five questions entering the Gators' visit to Ole Miss with longtime Rebels beat writer Parrish Alford of the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal.

1. Who is the best option at quarterback with Lane Kiffin calling plays?

Matt Corral with John Rhys Plumlee not far behind. I’ve heard from people inside and outside the program that Plumlee has improved as a passer. However, nothing that Lane Kiffin shared regarding camp ever seemed to have Plumlee in the lead at QB1. Plumlee is a dynamic athlete that will impact the game in some way though Kiffin would not discuss any possible role for Plumlee beyond starting quarterback while the competition was ongoing. Corral was a better passer than Plumlee last year. Ole Miss has guys at receiver that are capable of making plays. Beyond Elijah Moore, they were non-factors last year. I think Corral has the better chance to get those involved in what will be a more diverse offense.

2. How much optimism has Kiffin created in Oxford? Do fans think he can eventually turn Ole Miss into a factor in the SEC West?

There was a lot of optimism and support for Kiffin’s hire. Fans were very excited. However, official campus visits, a big selling point in Ole Miss recruiting, have been taken away by COVID-19, and Kiffin’s first full class is something less than expected of him and his staff as recruiters. Fans remain optimistic for Kiffin in the big picture, but not necessarily that he’ll have a breakout year in his first season.

3. How are the effects of the Hugh Freeze mess still being felt?

I would say those effects are being felt more on defense than offense. Depth is thin. The effects are also felt in the level of talent currently in the program compared to 2016. There have been some big gets like both Corral and Plumlee, along with tailback Jerrion Ealy and receiver Jonathan Mingo, but the talent level is not the same. Kiffin has tried to improve that through the transfer market. He’s signed some impact guys on the roster that will sit out this season.

4. With so much talk and focus on Kiffin and the offense what should Florida fans know about the Rebels' defense?

Ends and linebackers are where the Rebels have most of their experience and talent. Sam Williams, in spite of being in camp for just a couple of weeks after coming back from a suspension, is a possible starter at one end. He’ll definitely play.

Another career end, Ryder Anderson, has moved inside and will start at tackle where the Rebels are thin. Anderson will likely play at end too. Junior college transfer Daylen Gill is a surprise starter at one at “Star,” the hybrid LB-DB spot. Gill played linebacker in junior college.

Mohamed Sanogo is coming back from a broken ankle. He was one of the top tacklers in 2018. It will be interesting to see what his health and game speed look like.

Jaylon Jones is listed as a starter at strong safety, ahead of a senior who started 10 games last year, Jon Haynes. For Jones, it’s a move from corner and validation that he really may have returned to the form he showed in 2017 before an ACL tear in the 2018 opener. He played in 2019, but sometimes looked a step slow.

5. What would have to happen for Ole Miss to push the Gators and possibly pull of an upset over a top-10 team to kick off The Kiffin Era with a bang?

The offensive line would have to perform above its station. I think Ole Miss will get respectable play at quarterback from what looks like both Matt Corral and John Rhys Plumlee.

If the line gives a talented group of running backs some space – and if the ends can crash and make Kyle Trask uncomfortable – the Rebels could spring an upset.

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