Injuries, turnovers have dragged down Ole Miss

Ole Miss is 6-3 overall and 4-3 in SEC play after a 42-7 loss to Georgia, with injuries and turnovers offering the clearest explanation for a season that has pushed the Rebels toward the edge of the College Football Playoff race.

The Rebels are No. 19 in the latest playoff rankings and need significant movement ahead of them. They also must beat Oklahoma this weekend and Mississippi State in two weeks to keep their postseason hopes alive.

Kewan Lacy, described by Red Cup Rebellion as Ole Miss’ second-best offensive player, is out for the year. He played only 2.5 out of 12 quarters across losses to Florida, Texas and Georgia, limiting the Rebels in their biggest tests.

Lacy had 335 total touches across 15 games last season, including 7 games with 25+ touches. This season, he played in 6 games and recorded 88 total touches, without reaching 25 touches in any game. The secondary also has dealt with injuries since the start of the season, and Ole Miss has not had its first-choice lineup play an entire game.

Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss has remained Ole Miss’ best offensive player through 9 games, but ball security has been costly. His 12 turnovers include 9 interceptions and 3 fumbles. Seven of those turnovers came in the losses to Florida, Texas and Georgia, with 2 against Florida, 3 against Texas and 2 against Georgia.

That is a sharp change from last season, when Chambliss had 4 total turnovers, 3 interceptions and 1 fumble, in the 13 games he started. Injuries have reduced the offense’s available firepower, while turnovers have handed opponents extra possessions.

Why it matters

Ole Miss sits at 6-3 overall and 4-3 in SEC play, leaving little room for another loss. Injuries have limited the Rebels’ preferred lineup, while 7 of Chambliss’ 12 turnovers came in losses to Florida, Texas and Georgia.

What to watch next

Ole Miss plays Oklahoma this weekend, then faces Mississippi State in two weeks.