GAME BREAKDOWN
KEY MATCHUP: While the Rebels had a fair defensive performance in the opener against a Texas Tech offense that has piled up yards and points in the weeks to follow, the last two weeks have rekindled offseason worries about the Rebels being able to stop the run. The Rebels gave up 245.4 yards a game on the ground in 2017 to rank No. 13 in the SEC, No. 123 in America. They allowed 164 yards to Tech and left feeling somewhat positive. However, FCS foe Southern Illinois rushed for 241 yards against the Rebels, and Alabama, playing its best players for little more than a half, rushed for 210.
Kent State brings a couple of talented backs into the game in Justin Rankin and Jo-El Shaw averaging 6.6 and 5.8 yards per carry respectively.
The run game is a real concern against a defense that is questioning itself after the last two weeks.
Complicating matters is the loss of nickel back Montrell Custis with a torn ACL. It’s the second torn ACL for the secondary in three games and makes defensive coordinator Wesley McGriff think twice before bringing pressure and leaving his corners with no help.
“Now you have to be very selective in putting these guys in man to man. We have to pay attention to who’s on the field and not put these guys in bad situations but be aggressive at the same time,” McGriff said.
DRAFT SLANT
–A.J. Brown is projected by some as the first wide receiver off the board next spring. With speed, strength and physicality there have been few knocks on his game. One has been his performance in big games, and his final numbers against Alabama — four catches, 34 yards with a long of 13 — won’t put out those fires. For the year Brown, a junior from Starkville, Mississippi, has 19 catches for 285 yards and three touchdowns.
ROSTER REPORT:
–DB Montrell Custis had no starts in his first two seasons but had quickly become a solid pass defender from the nickel, something the Rebels haven’t often had. His ACL tear is a big loss.
–DE Tariquious Tisdale spent last week in concussion protocol but made the necessary progress to play against Alabama. He wasn’t terribly effective, though few Rebels were. Still Tisdale (6-5, 280) is a big, physical end for whom McGriff and the staff have high expectations. He’ll have to play through some youthfulness for a while. The sophomore joined the team the night before camp began. He played at Northwest (Miss.) Community College as a freshman.
–RB Scottie Phillips answered lingering running back questions in a big way with 314 yards over his first two games. He had just 44 yards on 12 carries against Alabama but typically made forward progress. His burst once reaching the second level was obvious against Texas Tech and Southern Illinois, but Alabama defenders were able to catch up with him and limit big plays.