Outback Bowl Preview: Ole Miss Rebels vs. No. 11 Indiana Hoosiers
Written by Charlie Beuttel
Twitter: @charlie_cds3
The Outback Bowl has been traditionally played on Jan. 1 every year since 1986 unless the New Year’s Day falls on a Sunday, then it has been pushed to Jan. 2. Since 1995, it has pitted a team from the SEC against a team from the Big Ten, which are always exciting matchups including this upcoming clash between Ole Miss and Indiana, both teams first appearance.
The Rebels of Ole Miss started off 1-4 in their first season under Lane Kiffin, however they turned it around and won three of their final four to finish 4-5. Their most notable wins came against at Kentucky on Oct. 3 and against Mississippi State on Nov. 28.
Indiana had one of their best seasons in program history as the Hoosiers finished 6-1. Their only defeat came in Columbus against the Buckeyes (42-35) on Nov. 21. Indiana’s most notable wins came against Michigan (38-21) on Nov. 7 and at Wisconsin (14-6) on Dec. 5.
Ole Miss Rebels vs No. 11 Indiana Hoosiers
Date: Saturday, January 2, 2021
Time: 12:30 pm ET
Location: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida
TV: ABC
Spread: Indiana -8.5
Ole Miss Overview
Offense
The Rebels use their balanced attack to gain 217.7 rushing and 344.78 passing yards to score 40.67 points per game. Sophomore quarterback Matt Corral has fired the ball all over the field all season racking up 2,995 passing yards and 27 touchdowns while also rushing for 469 more yards and four more scores on the ground.
Corral’s top two targets are junior wide receiver Elijah Moore, who leads the team with 86 receptions for 1,193 yards and eight touchdowns, and senior tight end Kenny Yeboah, who has caught 27 passes for 524 yards and six touchdowns. Ole Miss leading rusher is sophomore running back Jerrion Ealy, who has 745 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on 147 carries.
Defense
Ole Miss struggles on defense as they allow 40.33 points a game while giving up 211.2 rushing and 324.44 passing yards. Senior linebacker Lakia Henry and junior linebacker Jacquez Jones are tied with the team lead with 62 total tackles. Henry also has five tackles for a loss, 2.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and one pass break up while Jones has 1.5 tackles for a loss. Sophomore defensive back A.J. Finley leads the team with three interceptions to go along with his 53 total tackles, six pass breakups, and one fumble recovery. Senior defensive lineman Ryder Anderson is a force in the trenches as he has racked up 40 total tackles including five for a loss and 1.5 sacks.
Indiana Overview
Offense
Indiana averages 30.11 points while gaining 100.1 rushing yards and 258 passing yards per game. Most of the season the Hoosiers were led by quarterback Michael Penix Jr. but he unfortunately suffered a torn ACL on Nov. 28 against Maryland. Now it is sophomore Jack Tuttle’s time to step up.
Tuttle has thrown for 161 yards and two touchdowns in a game and a half including leading the Hoosiers to a win at Wisconsin. Indian’s leading rusher is junior running back Stevie Scott III who has 462 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on 137 carries. The Hoosiers’ two play-making receivers are seniors Whop Philyor, who has caught 36 passes for 414 yards and three touchdowns, and Ty Fryfogle, who has 34 receptions for 687 yards and seven touchdowns.
Defense
The Hoosiers hold their opponents to 19.43 points per matchup while allowing on average 135.7 rushing yards and 226 passing yards. Junior linebacker Micah McFadden leads Indiana with 52 total tackles including 8.5 for a loss, five sacks, and two interceptions. Junior defensive back Jamar Johnson patrols the secondary and leads the team with four interceptions to along with 34 total tackles including 3.5 for a loss, three pass breakups, one sack, and one forced fumble. Another defensive playmaker is sophomore defensive back Tiawan Mullen. Mullen has 36 total tackles including 4.5 for a loss, 3.5 sacks, three interception, four pass breakups, and one forced fumble.
Analysis
There is no question that Indiana will be able to score against Ole Miss, however, the question remains how much can the Hoosiers contain the Rebels’ offense. The key to an Indiana win will be how long Tuttle and the offense control time of possession keeping the ball away from Corral and the Ole Miss offense. The only way Ole Miss can win is if their explosive offense can figure out this suffocating Hoosier defense.
Final Score Prediction: Indiana 34, Ole Miss 27
Photo credit: The Clarion-Ledger; Ole Miss QB Matt Corral
Photo credit: The Herald Bulletin; Indiana WR Ty Fryfogle