OXFORD, Miss. - Alabama’s pass defense looks a little vulnerable, and Mississippi’s isn’t much better.
It all could add up to a lot of touchdowns when the top ranked Crimson Tide and No. 21 Rebels meet today in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Ole Miss is ranked eighth in the SEC in pass defense while Alabama is 11th.
Alabama’s secondary has been hit by injuries and suspensions. Coach Nick Saban used two new starting cornerbacks against Colorado State last Saturday.
Still, Ole Miss Coach Hugh Freeze said Alabama’s secondary problems are a little overblown.
“I don’t think Alabama is weak there,” Freeze said. “There’s been talk that they’re weaker at certain positions. They’ve held quite a few kids out, too, that I think will be ready to go this game. They’re not weak anywhere.”
Alabama has already given up five passing touchdowns this season after allowing only eight in all of 2012. All five of those were by Texas A&M’s Johnny Manziel, and Alabama isn’t the only defense that has had trouble stopping the reigning Heisman Trophy winner.
Nonetheless, there is little doubt it’s been a transition for Alabama’s secondary this season, which lost experienced stars like Dee Milliner and Robert Lester to the NFL during the off season.
Freshman Eddie Jackson and sophomore Bradley Sylve made their first career starts at cornerback against Colorado State. Alabama is expecting safety Jarrick Williams (eye infection) and cornerback Deion Belue (toe injury) to return against Mississippi.
Ole Miss also has issues in the secondary with Freeze often saying cornerback is a thin spot on the roster. The Rebels have moved a few players to try and create more depth at the position, including sophomore Mike Hilton.
Hilton, 5-8, 183 pounds, has been productive, ranking third on the team with 16 tackles. The Rebels also could get some help if senior Charles Sawyer returns. The veteran cornerback missed most of the season’s first two games because of a shoulder injury and didn’t travel with the team to Texas after being arrested on DUI charges Sept. 8.
Ole Miss has a little more depth at safety, led by junior Cody Prewitt and freshman Tony Connor, but the Rebels have sometimes been inconsistent and have given up big plays because of blown assignments.
Prewitt, who leads the team with two interceptions, said that can’t happen against the Tide.
“We’re really going to have to go out there and play 60 minutes if we want to have a chance at this game,” Prewitt said. “I think we’ve accepted that, and that’s our goal.”
TODAY’S GAMES All times Central
South Carolina at Cent. Florida, 11 a.m.
South Alabama at Tennessee, 11:21 a.m.
LSU at Georgia, 2:30 p.m.
Mississippi at Alabama, 5:30 p.m.
Texas A&M at Arkansas, 6 p.m.
Florida at Kentucky, 6 p.m.
Ala.-Birmingham at Vanderbilt, 6:30 p.m.
Arkansas State at Missouri, 6:30 p.m.
Sports, Pages 25 on 09/28/2013