Alabama has represented the SEC West in seven of the last 10 SEC Championship games. Nick Saban’s squad is once again a top contender to win the division and advance to the College Football Playoff behind Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young.
Of course, that doesn’t mean the Crimson Tide will waltz through the season without any obstacles. CBS Sports’ Barrett Sallee identified Ole Miss as Alabama’s “biggest threat” this season.
Sallee pointed to Lane Kiffin’s marquee transfer class consisting of former USC quarterback Jaxson Dart and five-star rushing recruit Zach Evans. Despite their shaky defense, he believes the Rebels now brandish the offensive firepower to emerge as a contender.
“Kiffin has molded Ole Miss into an offensive destination for high school players and potential transfers, which is exactly what any top-tier program should be in this day and age of offensive creativity,” Sallee wrote. “Styles make fights, and Ole Miss dictates style more than any other team in the SEC West outside of Tuscaloosa. Yes, that includes Texas A&M. The Aggies have the buzz, but the Rebels have the resume, coach, quarterback and skill players to be much more of a threat.”
While Sallee conceded that usurping Alabama is “a tough mountain to climb,” he said Kiffin “has established a culture that fits perfectly into the modern age of college football” by stockpiling his offense through the transfer portal.
Ole Miss went four years without a winning record before hiring Kiffin in 2020. While the Rebels went 5-5 during his first season, they improved to 10-3 last year. However, they were outclassed in a 42-21 road loss to Alabama.
The Rebels will have to wait until November 12 for another crack at the Crimson Tide. If Sallee is right, that matchup will be a monumental SEC showdown.
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