The Ole Miss Rebels opened up the 2018 season with a bang. The Rebels beat the Texas Tech Red Raiders 47-27 down in Houston last week to pick up win #1. They were mostly led to victory by the arm of Jordan Ta’amu and the hands of the Nasty Wide Outs.
Now, as we go into Week 2, they’ll look to improve to 2-0 on the season. The Rebels’ home opener against the Southern Illinois Salukis is on tap for Saturday afternoon.
The Rebs have typically favored well in home openers over the past few years. They have won their last six, with the last loss coming back on September 3, 2011. On that day, the BYU Cougars took them down 14-13. Ta’amu and Co. will be looking to avoid a similar fate. But, all due respect to SIU, that BYU team was probably a lot more talented.
The Salukis enter this game with a 1-0 record on the year. They opened up with a win against Murray State back on August 30. SIU is led by quarterback Sam Straub, who figures to be one of the best FCS QBs in the country this season. Straub had 28 TDs and merely 12 INTs a season ago and 30 total TDs, since he picked up two on the ground. Against Murray State he picked up a TD and an INT. Wide receiver Darrell James will likely be his primary target. Their defense is led by defensive back Jeremy Chinn and defensive end Anthony Knighton.
Considering that there’s not even a spread at this game, it doesn’t figure to be much of a competitive contest. While some teams had cupcakes last week, Ole Miss will now have a crack at one themselves. The best they can hope for is a win and to stay healthy.
HOW TO WATCH OLE MISS VS. SIU
Time: 4 p.m. ET/3 p.m. CT
TV: SEC Network+
Commentators: Mike Morgan, John Congemi, Alyssa Lang
Radio: Ole Miss Football Radio Network | TuneIn
Streaming: WatchESPN