For the first time in a while, the run game might be the strength of the Ole Miss Rebels.
On Game Runs Deep, the biggest takeaway from Week 1 was not just the passing attack. It was what the Rebels showed on the ground.
Kewan Lacy stood out immediately. The combination of power and speed was obvious, forcing missed tackles and creating offense even when blocking was not perfect. At times, Lacy was making plays despite issues up front, showing the kind of individual talent that can change games.
Last season, Ole Miss lacked balance. In key losses, the offense struggled to establish a consistent run game, relying too heavily on the quarterback to create. That issue appears to have been addressed.
But it was not perfect. The offensive line had its share of struggles, which is to be expected from a group playing together for the first time. There were breakdowns in protection and run blocking that will need to improve, especially heading into tougher matchups.
Still, the potential is clear. Even with those issues, the Rebels run game produced. That is a major shift from a year ago. Having a back who can create on his own changes how defenses have to play Ole Miss and takes pressure off Austin Simmons as he continues to develop.
That balance could be the key. With the depth of weapons in the passing game and now a legitimate threat on the ground, the Rebels offense has the pieces to be more complete than it has been in recent years. And if that continues, Ole Miss may have found the missing piece that elevates the entire team.
