SEC Week 11 matchups favor teams with strong defenses and clean ball handling. Vanderbilt sits at 103rd in scoring with just 23 points per game, a massive drop from their top-8 rank last year. Oklahoma needs to force mistakes to beat a dangerous Ole Miss offense. The Sooners must protect quarterback John Mateer and stop Trinidad Chambliss from running wild.
Yahoo Sports reports that the Commodores have lost their spark since the Diego Pavia era ended. Tim Beck returns as offensive coordinator, but his power-spread scheme faces a new reality. The team relies heavily on receiver Junior Sherrill, who has 56 catches for 747 yards. No other player on the roster has more than 17 catches. This one-dimensional attack makes it easy for opponents to stack the box.
Vanderbilt’s Quarterback Struggles
Jared Curtis was the number two overall recruit last year and chose Vandy over Georgia. He has a big arm and runs well, but he looks like a true freshman in the SEC. Curtis averages over 11 yards per completion, yet he has thrown eight interceptions on only 224 attempts. Yahoo Sports notes that the offense lacks depth beyond Sherrill and running back Sedrick Alexander.
Alexander used to gain more than five yards per carry, but now he sits at 333 yards with a 3.9 average. His change-of-pace partner, Makhilyn Young, cannot break off big runs either. The quarterback run game puts too much pressure on Curtis, who is not ready for this level yet. The offensive line changes have held the team back all season. Without a balanced attack, Alabama and other top teams will dominate these matchups.
Oklahoma’s Path to Victory
Oklahoma faces a tough test against Ole Miss this Saturday. To secure victory, the Sooners must execute perfectly on offense and defense alike. John Mateer must play smart and avoid turnovers. One mistake gives the Rebels short fields and extra possessions. Mateer requires the offensive line to shield him and provide ample time within the pocket. Running the ball effectively is key to opening up the passing game.
The defense must find a way to contain Trinidad Chambliss. In Ole Miss’ 34-26 win a year ago, he passed for 315 yards against the Sooners. That single stat shows the challenge he presents. An injury sidelines Kewan Lacy for this game, potentially affecting the Rebels’ running game. However, the offense remains dangerous when it gets rolling. The defensive front must maintain pass-rush lanes and collapse the pocket.
Third-down defense is another critical area for Oklahoma. The team ranks in the top five nationally in defensive third-down efficiency. This strength needs to continue against a good offensive team. Ole Miss has struggled in this area lately, but they can still score if given enough opportunities. The defense must get off the field and give the ball back to the offense. Stopping drives is the only way to win.
What the Stats Say
The numbers do not lie about Vanderbilt’s current state. They dropped from 8th in scoring to 103rd in just one season. Their offense now averages only 23 points per game. This is a massive decline for a program that made rounds through college football recently. The lack of playmakers outside of Sherrill is a clear weakness.
Oklahoma’s success depends on execution. They cannot afford to give Ole Miss short fields. The Rebels are a dangerous offensive team. If the Sooners turn the ball over, they will lose. The defensive front must stop Chambliss from getting outside or stepping up through the middle.
