Coach For A Day: Ole Miss

In An Attempt To Break Out Of The Box Of Typical Thinking In Writing About Football, Today We Become The Head Coach Of Ole Miss For A Day

As sports writers we are always looking for new, and different ideas with which to deliver content to our readers. With that in mind, today I'm placing myself in the fictional role of head coach of the Ole Miss Rebels for a day as the Vanderbilt Commodores travel to Oxford Saturday to battle the "Land Sharks" at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.

 So now that I have replaced Matt Luke, what do I do against Vanderbilt this week in a key matchup that both teams need, not only for confident, but to keep bowl hopes alive. 

Having seen every Vanderbilt game to date, I have some knowledge of the strengths and weaknesses of this Commodores squad, so that's my film study. 

REBELS OFFENSE

Luke and the Rebels have had two starting quareterbacks, Matt Corral and John Rhys Plumlee in their first five games, with Corral starting the first four and Plumlee in his sted last week. 

A true freshman, Plumlee showed well in the Rebels loss to Alabama and he gets the call for me. He's mobile and rushed for over 100 yards last week against Saban's defense. That's an advantage I want against Vandy, because their defense is not at Bama's level. 

My offensive line has some blocking issue in pass protection and need to be better there for my a rookie QB in this one. To help them, I'm moving the pocket to put Plumlee in motion and allow him to not have to read the entire field on every single play. It will also allow him to have the option to tuck and run, which he is capable, and comfortable doing. 

My receivers are fast and talented, but getting the ball to them consistantly has been challenging. I need them to have a big day, making at least two splash plays for big yards and scores. Getting this would take pressure off my young quarterback and help open up the running game.    

My running game hasn't been spectacular other than Plumlee last week and I'm expecting Vanderbilt to stack the box to stop our runs and put pressure on Plumlee. I'm still going to test Vanderbilt's front, though with Rich Rodriguez's hurry-up, spread offense, running isn't going to be my strong suit, but I have to keep them honest. 

It comes down to Plumlee and how well he can handle the looks when he's in the pocket and how well he's able to escape when pressured. If he runs for 100 or more in this game and can pass for the same, we have a chance. 

Anything less than that and we could be in trouble.

REBELS DEFENSE     

 This one is much easier. My Land Sharls are fast and aggressive and like to run and hit.

I'm coming after Vandy with a stacked box to stop Ke'Shawn Vaughn from getting going in the run game. I'm also coming from everywhere at quarterback Riley Neal because the Commodores O-line has had issues so far this season. 

In the secondary, I'm locking up man-to-man and athlete-to-athlete and saying beat me if you can.      

I want to make it miserable for Neal, and if that doesn't happen then I have failed as the head coach of Ole Miss for the day.