RebelGrove.com is creating quick-hit looks for fans to get to know each of Ole Miss' opponents for the 2016 season. We're not going chronologically but rather in ascending order of difficulty. The October home game against Memphis is up next.
GETTING TO KNOW MEMPHIS
When and where: October 1, 2016. Oxford, Mississippi.
Coach: Mike Norvell (Central Arkansas), 1st year
2015 record: 9-4
2014 record: 10-3
Record vs. Power-5 schools since 20012: 2-5
Average score vs. Power-5 schools: 24 (Memphis) - 30 (Opponents)
Record vs. SEC schools since 2012: 1-2
Road record vs. SEC schools since 2012: 0-1 (Ole Miss 24-3, 2014)
A LOOK AT THE OFFENSE
Returning starters: 7
With Paxton Lynch on to the NFL, Memphis is likely handing the keys to former Tennessee and Coffeyville Community College quarterback Riley Ferguson, but it won't be easy to replace Lynch's 3,776 yards and 28 touchdowns. During the spring, Starkville's Brady Davis and senior Jason Stewart also got first-team reps.
First-year head coach and former Arizona State offensive coordinator Mike Norvell, who takes over with Justin Fuente's departure to Virginia Tech, will rely on returning running backs Doroland Dorceus (661 yards), Sam Craft (333) and Jamarius Henderson (320).
Craft can also line up at receiver where Memphis is trying to replace to pass-catcher Mose Frazier, who had 797 yards last season. However, the Tigers return their next three at the position in Anthony Miller, Rod Proctor and Phil Mayhue. It's possible sophomore Tony Pollard makes an impact, as well, if the quarterbacks progress.
Jake Elliott is back at kicker after being named American Athletic Conference Special Teams Player of the Year last season. He was 23-of-28 on field goals and 10-of-11 from 40 and out.
Reason for Ole Miss to worry: The position on the schedule isn't the most advantageous thing, as this follows Florida State, Alabama and Georgia in a four-week span. The Rebels could be banged up from the first month, allowing Memphis to get offensive snaps against more reserves than would be preferred.
Reason for Ole Miss to rest easy: It's odd to tag No. 11 difficulty to a team Ole Miss lost to, but Lynch is no longer under center, and he's the main reason for that last season. There's a tremendous dropoff at quarterback, no matter who gets the snaps, and Memphis' potential two-back offense plays to an Ole Miss strength. The Rebels are much more talented, and there's no weapon on the Memphis offense like Lynch.
A LOOK AT THE DEFENSE
Returning starters: 8
Defensive coordinator Chris Ball came with Norvell from Arizona State. Grenada (Miss.) High School teammates Genard Avery and Shareef White are both expected to start for the Tigers this season. Avery flirted with transferring to Ole Miss this year.
Latarius Brady, Ernest Suttles and Donald Pennington return on the defensive line, and Memphis gets linebacker Jackson Dillon back with the former Grenada teammates. The corners are back, but Reggis Ball is gone from the secondary and will be hard to replace.
Punter Spencer Smith averaged more than 47 yards per punt last season. An odd stat: Memphis hasn't returned a kickoff for a touchdown in 20 seasons.
Reason for Ole Miss to worry: Memphis will have more confidence after last season's win, and the Rebels could have the loss in the back of their minds. It's likely a motivating factor for Ole Miss to focus in that week, but it will be a focal point for the Tigers, as well. It probably gives Memphis the ability to play without the tentativeness that sometimes comes with an underdog against a dynamic offense.
Reason for Ole Miss to rest easy: Chad Kelly is still on Ole Miss' roster, and it's doubtful the Rebels' offense has the same kind of uneven performance against Memphis this time. The first month of the season will shape the mood of this October Saturday, but Kelly and his weapons will be on the field, and the offensive line will be tested by this point.
