5:30 P.M. CT SEPT. 28, 2013 OLE MISS TV: ESPN

LOOKING for ANSWERS The Crimson Tide secondary prepares to face the Rebels with the return of key injured players

September 27, 2013

The Next Star Athlete

EDITORIAL O.J. Howard, true freshman and editor-in-chief Mazie Bryant one of Alabama’s prized recuits, [email protected] 05 has changed the game for the magazine editor Matt Ford Crimson Tide offense magazine creative director David Walton managing editor Lauren Ferguson production editor Katherine Owen visuals editor Anna Waters online editor Mackenzie Brown assistant news editors Mark Hammontree Sarah Elizabeth Tooker [email protected] culture editor Abbey Crain Looking for Answers sports editor Marc Torrence opinion editor John Brinkerhoff The Crimson Tide secondary chief copy editor Larsen Lien prepares to face the Rebels with video editor Daniel Roth 06 the return of key injured players photo editor Austin Bigoney community managers Brielle Appelbaum Lauren Robertson ADVERTISING

advertising manager Tori Hall 251.751.1781 [email protected] territory manager Chloe Ledet 205.886.3512 Back in Action [email protected] projects manager Sam Silverman 520.820.3084 As Ole Miss continues to [email protected] progress with its recruiting creative services manager Hillary McDaniel 09 classes, the future of its success 334.315.6068 remains clouded

account executives Ali Lemmond William Whitlock Kathryn Tanner Camille Dishongh Kennan Madden Julia Kate Mace Katie Schlumper No. 14 Oklahoma No. 20 Florida vs. No. 22 Notre Dame vs. Kentucky Notre Dame Stadium - South Bend, Ind., Commonwealth Stadium – Lexington, Ky., 2:30 p.m. CT, NBC 6 p.m. CT, ESPNU Despite winning its fi rst three games to start the season, Oklahoma Florida will be without Jeff Driskel, after the veteran sig- has done it with question marks at a position that is usually never nal caller was lost for the season with a broken tibia in last week’s game an issue for them – quarterback. Week one starter and a redshirt against Tennessee. In place of Driskel will be redshirt junior Tyler freshman Trevor Knight, was benched in favor of junior , who Murphy, who performed well in relief of Driskel a week ago, throwing passed for 413 yards and four touchdowns in a 51-20 win against Tulsa a 52-yard touchdown pass, running for another and committing zero in the team’s last game two weeks ago. Meanwhile, Notre Dame senior turnovers in a 31-17 win. With the No. 2 defense in the country behind quarterback Tommy Rees has been hot and cold for the Fighting Irish him, Murphy shouldn’t be asked to do too much in his fi rst career start this season, playing in place of Everett Golson, who was suspended for against a rebuilding Kentucky team. the fall semester by the school. Rees showing up against Oklahoma’s underrated defense will decide this game. The Irish defeated the Soon- ers 30-13 in Norman, Okla., last season.

No. 10 Texas A&M No. 6 LSU vs. Arkansas vs. No. 9 Georgia Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium – Fayetteville, Ark., Sanford Stadium – Athens, Ga., 6 p.m. CT, ESPNU 2:30 p.m. CT, CBS Love him or hate him, last season’s Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Both teams will be fi ghting to stay alive in the national title picture Manziel hasn’t missed a beat in 2013. The sophomore quarterback has in this high-profi le SEC showdown. LSU has exceeded many pundits’ improved as a pocket passer and again ranks near the top in several preseason expectations in its 4-0 start, while Georgia already has one major passing categories through four games this season. Though Ar- loss on the season. The Bulldogs will put up points with one of the best kansas is 3-1 this season under fi rst-year Bret Bielema – a quarterback/running back duos in the country in Aaron Murray and drastic improvement from last season’s disastrous 4-8 fi nish – it has yet Todd Gurley, but the defense will have its work cut out for it against a to play an SEC opponent until now in 2013. The Razorbacks currently surprisingly balanced and effi cient LSU offense headlined by quarter- rank second in the SEC in total defense and 18th nationally, but few back Zach Mettenberger and running back . teams in the country, if any, have shown they can slow down the Aggie offense. Arizona No. 23 Wisconsin vs. No. 16 Washington vs. No. 4 Ohio State Husky Stadium – Seattle, Wash., Ohio Stadium – Columbus, Ohio, 6 p.m. CT, FOX 7 p.m. CT, ABC It’s still early in the season, but both Arizona and Washington are looking like potential sleepers in the Pac-12. Through three Ohio State is off to a 4-0 start in 2013, but only the fi rst of those wins can games, both teams match up evenly across the board, each rank- be credited to preseason Heisman Trophy candidate Braxton Miller, ing in the top 10 nationally in rushing yards per game and points- who has missed almost all of the past three games with an MCL sprain. allowed average, and top 20 in scoring offense. The Huskies hold a Senior Kenny Guiton has fi lled in admirably at quarterback, but Miller signifi cant advantage in the passing game, averaging 325 yards per is expected to make the start against Wisconsin. He and the rest of the game to Arizona’s 109. Wildcats quarterback B.J. Denker will need to Buckeyes will have their hands full – the Badgers are ranked sixth na- alleviate some pressure off running backs Ka’Deem Carey and Daniel tionally in total defense and 12th in total offense. Jenkins to prevent them from being one-dimensional against a tough Washington defense. 09/27/2013 GAMEDAY 03 1 Alabama 6 LSU 10 Texas A&M 20 Florida 23 Wisconsin 14 Oklahoma Arizona vs. vs. vs. vs. vs. vs. vs. 21 Ole Miss 9 Georgia Arkansas Kentucky 3 Ohio State 22 Notre Dame 16 Washington Marc Torrence sports editor 71.4% (10/14) Charlie Potter assistant sports editor 78.6% (11/14) Kevin Connell sports reporter 85.7% (12/14) Billy Whyte sports reporter 78.6% (11/14) Nick Sellers sports reporter 85.7% (12/14)

Last week’s perfect picks: Pick against our sports experts at: cw.ua.edu/pickem None AP Poll Coaches Poll 1. Alabama (56) 1. Alabama (59) 2. Oregon (4) 2. Oregon (3) 3. Clemson 3. Ohio State 4. Ohio State 4. Clemson 5. Stanford 5. Stanford 6. LSU 6. LSU 7. Louisville 7. Louisville 8. Florida State 8. Florida State 9. Georgia 9. Texas A&M 10. Texas A&M 10. Georgia 11. Oklahoma State 11. Oklahoma State 12. South Carolina 12. Oklahoma 13. UCLA 13. South Carolina 14. Oklahoma 14. UCLA 15. Miami (FL) 15. Miami (FL) 16. Washington 16. Northwestern 17. Northwestern 17. Michigan 18. Michigan 18. Baylor 19. Baylor 19. Florida 20. Florida 20. Washington 21. Ole Miss 21. Ole Miss 22. Notre Dame 22. Notre Dame 23. Wisconsin 23. Fresno State 24. Texas Tech 24. Wisconsin REPRESENTATIVES ON SITE 25. Fresno State 25. Texas Tech

02 09/27/2013 GAMEDAY The Next Star Athlete

By Charlie PotterPotter poposition,sition, which gives us other optiooptionsns AsAssistantsistant Sports EEditorditor to do other thinthings.gs. He can block, and he cacann rrunun aandnd catccatch.”h.” FansFans began dreaming of frefresh-sh- HoHowardward mmadeade hihiss AlAlabamaabama dedebutbut mamann tight end O.J. Howard on tthehe in the season opener aagainstgainst VirVirginiaginia fifieldeld this fall as soon as he cocom-m- TeTechch but failed to make an aappearanceppearance mimittedtted to the Crimson Tide as ththee on the team’s stat sheet, desdespitepite cocon-n- totop-ratedp-rated tight end prospect of ththee trtributingibuting as a run blocker and beibeingng 20201313 class. Howard has not disappodisappoint-int- tatargetedrgeted bbyy McCarron once down fiefield.ld. ed in Alabama’s first three games of It was against Texas A&M whewherere ththee seasonseason.. HoHowardward had the biggest impact and hihiss TheThe 6-foot-6-inch, 237-pound tigtightht bebestst performance of the young seasonseason.. endend has provided quarterback AJ McMc-- He hauled in three catches againagainstst Carron with a big target in the passingpassing ththee Aggies for 68 yards, with a cruciacruciall game,game, and head coach Nick Saban saidsaid cacatchtch on third dowdown.n. hishis versatility has provided the offense “H“Hee ggrewrew up a bunch in the TexTexasas withwith a wrinkle it has not had in recenrecentt A&A&MM ggame.ame. He had to,” McCarron saisaid.d. years.years. “[“[On]On] third down and we completed a “O.J.“O.J. Howard’s done a good job,” SSa-a- papassss to him late in the gamegame to kind ooff banban said. “He’s maturing now at thatthat ssealeal the deal. He’s done an excellent jjobob CWC | AAustinustin BigoneyBigog ney

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04 09/27/2013 GAMEDAY for us.” like New Orleans’ Jimmy Graham, New Howard with either a smaller corner Against Colorado State, Howard England’s and Atlan- or a slower linebacker, and McCarron’s caught three passes for 38 yards. Mc- ta’s Tony Gonzalez are security blan- eyes light up when that happens. Carron looked to Howard early and of- kets for their and force “It creates mismatches, and that’s ten, with all of his catches coming in the defenses to change their schemes. what this game’s all about,” McCarron first quarter. Defenses have been forced to cover said. In three games, Howard is third on the team in receiving yards, trailing wide receivers Christion Jones and De- Andrew White. He is also tied for third in receptions and is second in yards per catch with a 17.7-yard average. Junior tight end Brian Vogler said he has been there if the young tight end ever had a question. He said he’s im- pressed with Howard’s ability to learn the offense as a true freshman and translate what he has learned into pro- duction on the field. But Vogler might want to stop sharing his secrets, as Howard is becoming one of McCarron’s favorite targets. “Sometimes you get disappointed when they call a big play and they throw it to the other tight end, but I know O.J.’s abilities,” Vogler said. “There’s been a couple times when if they call my number and there’s a deep ball, I just want to be like, ‘Put O.J. in.’” Big, athletic tight ends are a staple on most successful NFL teams. Players CW | Austin Bigoney National Championships OPEN: Mon-Fri @ 4 Sat-Sun @ 11:30 STORE YOUR TROPHIES AT Friday Brandon Wooley - Happy Hour Fools Rush onstage @ 10:30 Saturday NCAAF and Mellowship onstage at 10:30 FEATURESS Sunday t $MJNBUF$POUSPM"WBJMBCMF NFL Ticket with all games live and Dart Tournament t IPVS4FDVSJUZ$BNFSBTBNFSBT Play NFL Getaway! t 1JO$PEF"DDFTT Pick the most winners all season and win a trip to t .PWJOH4VQQMJFT VEGAS or the CARIBBEAN t $POWFOJFOU)PVST Plus daily prizes are also awarded from downtown restaurants, Budweiser, Killer Buzz and more. Follow us 205-349-09077 3 Locations in Town!own! fillingstation filling_station_ttown fillingstnbama www.All-AmericanOnline.com

09/27/2013 GAMEDAY 05 LOOKING for

ANSWERSBy Nick Sellers | Staff Reporter The Crimson Tide secondary prepares to face the Rebels with the return of key injured players It would be” great to get him back. I hope we can get him back. – Nick Saban “

CW | Austin Bigoney

hat you are about to read is not a extensive practice time. 10 different personnel members in the defensive typo: The Alabama Crimson Tide Though it’s worth mentioning that some young backfield. passing defense is currently allow- cornerbacks and safeties received valuable play- Saban indicated that practice could continue ing just more than 250 yards per ing time against the Rams, as freshmen Bradley as the Crimson Tide gets more starters back and Wgame through the air, good for 81st in the nation Sylve and Eddie Jackson made their first starts, the coaching staff decides who to start against the and 11th in the SEC. the Crimson Tide undoubtedly needs all the help Rebels. Though this sobering statistic largely stems it can get against Ole Miss and its stable of tal- “We played about five guys at cornerback and from the misfortune of having to play Texas A&M ented receivers. just kind of rotated them in there with the idea of and its offensive arsenal so early in the season, it Leading the way for the Rebels is junior wide we’re going to see if somebody can play the posi- also speaks to another issue Alabama is currently receiver Donte Moncrief. The 6-foot-3-inch prod- tion with any kind of consistency, do their assign- facing: the recent injury bug that has bitten the uct has accumulated 173 yards and two touch- ment, and do their job,” Saban said. “That’s an Crimson Tide secondary. downs on the season and is an imposing deep area we need to get better at.” Alabama was without two projected starters threat for Rebels quarterback Bo Wallace, who Last year, Alabama’s secondary blanked in the defensive backfield against Colorado State. has thrown four touchdowns and no intercep- Wallace and his offensive weapons for no Though the 228 yards Rams quarterback Garrett tions in 2013. touchdowns through the air. The Crimson Tide Grayson hung on the Crimson Tide defense isn’t Moncrief’s complement on the outside, former snagged two interceptions, and first round draft an unnerving total, it was much more than the No. 1 wide receiver prospect , pick Demarcus Milliner shut down Moncrief, lim- result many were hoping for in light of the recent leads the team in receptions in his freshman sea- iting Wallace’s safety net to just two receptions clinic put on in College Station, son. Both Moncrief and Treadwell have drawn for 37 yards. Texas, a week prior. comparisons to the lethal Texas A&M wide It’s one year later and much has changed. One of the projected starters sidelined against receiver Mike Evans, for whom the Crimson Tide Moncrief is joined by several new skilled players, Colorado State was Jarrick Williams, cornerback simply didn’t have an answer. John Fulton, Cyrus and Alabama lacks a healthy No. 1 cornerback to at star position. Williams was poked in the eye Jones and Belue struggled to contain Evans. challenge him. against Texas A&M, an injury that made him tem- The comparisons with Moncrief and Treadwell, Not to mention the Rebels’ leading receiver porarily lose vision and valuable playing time. not to mention the stellar play of freshman tight from last year’s contest, Vincent Sanders, will The other injured starter was senior corner- end , who leads the Rebels in recep- see the football field for the first time this season back Deion Belue, a vocal leader in the second- tion yards, have caught the attention of Saban. on Saturday after suffering an injury in training ary. Touted by heach coach Nick Saban as the No. “Bo Wallace does a really god job of operating camp. 1 corner, Belue went down with a toe injury also their hurry-up, and it’s effective,” Saban said. With all the injuries the Crimson Tide second- against the Aggies and wore sweatpants for the “They have really good skill players, two or ary has sustained recently, it’s understandable for rest of the game. Belue didn’t see the field against three receivers that are explosive guys. A really the unit to struggle against a team like Colorado Colorado State and was apparently missed by good tight end as a receiver and a blocker.” State. A second-tier Mountain West football team many. Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, who has made his name as is adequate for figuring out the best personnel “Obviously Deion Belue is a guy that’s played a hard-hitting, ball-hawking veteran safety, didn’t lineup in the defensive backfield. the most football around here and is probably our completely dismiss the comparisons between the Against the Ole Miss Rebels on Saturday, best corner,” Saban said. “So, [he’s] a guy that has Aggies and the Rebels. Alabama will have no such luxury. It’s appar- experience, has some positive leadership and he “They have Wallace,” Clinton-Dix said. “He’s not ent Saban wants Belue back, most likely to try does affect the other players. It would be great to Johnny Manziel, but he’s a great runner, and he’s and contain the dynamic receiver that Moncrief get him back. I hope we can get him back.” a great thrower.” is. Whether or not he gets a 100 percent Belue Safety Nick Perry, another veteran defensive To make up for the talent sidelined against remains to be seen. But if the Crimson Tide is back, also missed last Saturday’s game due to a Colorado State, Kirby to reverse the current trend happening in the shoulder injury. Saban said Monday that Perry Smart and secondary coach Greg Brown shuffled secondary, the healthier the better for Belue would be the only defensive back likely to miss in a number of defensive backs, playing a total of and Williams.

08 09/27/2013 GAMEDAY ON THE RISE

As Ole Miss continues to progress with its recruiting classes, the future of its success remains clouded. Photo courtesy of Austin McAfee, The Daily Mississippian

Billy White | Staff Reporter le Miss made national headlines this to continue; and how much potential does Sumlin’s Texas A&M squad that has not only last February when it not only the program have in such a rich talent basin become a top 10 team recently, but also over finished with the No. 4 recruiting that is the SEC? recruiting in the state of Texas. And those are class in the country, according to Currently Ole Miss ranks 12th in the 2014 just three teams in the Rebels’ own division. 247 Sports, but also the nation’s recruiting class rankings, so Freeze’s short- So much of the potential of the program will Otop-ranked receiver in Laquon Treadwell, term recruiting pitch seems to be working. Ole depend on how the team does over the next the top-ranked offensive lineman in Laremy Miss is also currently ranked No. 21 in both the three to four seasons with its influx of talent, Tunsil, and the nation’s overall top-ranked AP and Coaches polls. And winning at Texas but in the short run, the next four games will player in defensive end Robert Nkemdiche. earlier this year in a 44-23 rout says a lot about tell a lot about whether Ole Miss is for real or The overall haul was shocking for a school that how far this team has come in a year after los- just the flavor of the month. After Alabama, finished 44th in recruiting the year before and ing 66-31 in Oxford, Miss., a year earlier. The Ole Miss plays at Auburn, home against No. 10 whose only major notable recruit in the past game this weekend against Alabama also Texas A&M, and home against No. 6 LSU. Ole was the son of a former Ole Miss legend in Eli gives Ole Miss a chance to jump in the national Miss hasn’t beaten a ranked team since 2009 Manning. spotlight like Texas A&M did a year ago if the and will need to beat one of the big three, along Immediately a lot of questions started to Rebels can pull out a win. with Auburn, if it wants to prove it can be a real come up on how head coach did it, The main thing going against Ole Miss’ future player in the SEC West. many suggesting not-so-clean recruiting prac- success is the sheer number of powerhouses in If Ole Miss can get to 10 wins this season, tices, while others suggested Freeze just had the SEC. There are currently six teams ranked something it hasn’t done since 2003, then more to be a magician to pull it off. Sports Illustrated ahead of Ole Miss in the polls, not including recruits will continue to flock in to Oxford, even ran a detailed feature on the coaching Tennessee, which has struggled of late, but is Miss., and the Rebels will probably become a staff’s plan on finding 12 players across the still the No. 8 all-time winningest program in major threat over the next couple of years. And country with a connection to Ole Miss and history. If Ole Miss is going to maybe the team will be able to have a chance at recruiting them relentlessly. But as interesting be a major player in the SEC, it would have to the school’s first SEC title since 1963. Will any as this recruiting haul was, the real question beat out not just Nick Saban’s assembly line of of this happen? Who knows. But it sure will be becomes how sustainable can Freeze’s recruit- national championships in Alabama, but also fun to see what Freeze will be able to do with ing continue to be; how quickly do the Rebels LSU, which has only one final ranking outside this talent Saturday, the rest of the season and need to start putting results out on the field for the top 17 since 2003. Not to mention Kevin the next couple of years.

09/27/2013 GAMEDAY 09 A LOOK AT THE REBEL NATION FROM ITS OWN SPORTS EDITOR By Kevin Connell | Staff Reporter

Crimson White: The Crimson White spoke to Daily Ole Miss generated a lot of buzz this off- season with its surprisingly successful Mississippian Sports Editor David recruiting class. Now that we have a feel of what the Rebels are made of this sea- son, what kind of expectations does the Collier in Oxford, Miss., to get his team have right now moving forward?

take on Ole Miss’ current Daavid Collier:: Going into the season, most fans were expectations, quarterback Bo expecting a small step forward from last year’s 7-6 record and looking at seven or Wallace’s improved play and build- eight wins to be a good mark to build on. After starting the year 3-0, those expecta- ing on last season’s game against tions have risen a bit, but the schedule is about to get rough. After this weekend’s Alabama. battle with Alabama, Ole Miss travels to Auburn and hosts Texas A&M and LSU. Photo courtesy of The Daily Mississippian

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10 09/27/2013 GAMEDAY He became more of a student of the game, and ” so far, it’s paid off. - David Collier “

Photo courtesy of Austin McAfee, The Daily Mississippian

Hugh Freeze has said over and over that he The biggest difference is his deci- Alabama’s offense has struggled wants his team to fight for 60 minutes and see sion making, which can be attrib- a bit to find an identity so far in what the scoreboard says. While that likely D uted to several things. First of all, 2013. Who are some players on won’t be enough against the Crimson Tide, it’s his second year running the the Ole Miss defense that could it’s good enough for a couple more wins this show, and there’s a sense of famil- continue Alabama’s struggles? season. iarity with the offense. Then, you look at his health. Wallace played most of last season with It’s all going to start with the Through three games this season, an injured throwing shoulder, which contrib- defensive line. Defensive end Bo Wallace looks like a much- uted to at least a couple of his interceptions. He D C.J. Johnson is the biggest play- improved quarterback from a missed spring ball while rehabbing the shoul- maker on the front four, so he’ll year ago. Comparing last season der, and I think that helped him mentally. He have to have a big game for Ole to this season, what would you became more of a student of the game, and so Miss to slow Alabama down. Nose tackle Issac say are the reasons behind his success so far far, it’s paid off. Gross will also be someone to watch because this season? his quick first step can disrupt things in the

09/27/2013 GAMEDAY 11 Unlike last year, Ole Miss has ”confi dence heading into Tuscaloosa, but how will they respond? - David Collier middle. Gross has been hampered by a Tuscaloosa, but how will they respond? groin injury dating back to last season, but They should come out loose since there’s he looked more comfortable against Texas. nothing to lose, and Bo Wallace“ and com- Another big issue to look at is the second- pany have experienced a year in tough ary. The Rebels have had problems making environments. plays against the pass, but defensive back Mike Hilton was moved from Huskie (hybrid safety/linebacker) to corner and had a solid game against Texas. If he can man down What’s your final score and the second corner spot along with Charles why? Sawyer, who is coming off an injury and suspension, Ole Miss won’t have as many worries at the back end of the defense. I’m going to say Alabama wins The Rebels were one of the few D it 38-28. Unless Alabama’s teams to give Alabama a decent defense makes adjustments to game last season. In your opin- up-tempo offenses, I think Ole ion, what do they need to do to Miss will move the ball and put build on last season’s game at points on the board, but the Crimson Tide Bryant-Denny Stadium? [has] too many weapons offensively for the Rebels to stop. Hugh Freeze has said Ole Play with passion. It sounds Miss is two or three more good recruiting cliché, but it’s that simple. classes away from having SEC depth, and D Unlike last year, Ole Miss I think that’ll be the biggest difference in Photo courtesy of Austin McAfee, The Daily Mississippian has confidence heading into Alabama coming away with the win.

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12 09/27/2013 GAMEDAY