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Texas Tech football: Ole Miss offensive line presents huge challenge

By Matthew Conner

OXFORD, MS - OCTOBER 14: Wide receiver DaMarkus Lodge #5 of the Mississippi Rebels celebrates with offensive lineman Daronte Bouldin #76 of the Mississippi Rebels after scoring a touchdown during their game against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on October 14, 2017 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images)
OXFORD, MS - OCTOBER 14: Wide receiver DaMarkus Lodge #5 of the Mississippi Rebels celebrates with offensive lineman Daronte Bouldin #76 of the Mississippi Rebels after scoring a touchdown during their game against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on October 14, 2017 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images) /
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While the national media is focused on the Ole Miss receivers (and rightfully so), the Rebels’ offensive line could be the biggest test the Texas Tech football team will face Saturday.

The Texas Tech football team will see what many believe to be one of the most elite position groups in the nation Saturday when it squares off with Ole Miss in Houston.  But in this instance, we are not talking about the Rebel receivers.

While Ole Miss does feature three top-notch pass catchers, the Rebel offensive line could be even more highly-regarded.  While many Texas Tech observers point to the Red Raiders’ combined 93 starts along the offensive line, Mississippi’s o-line is even more experienced checking in with 103 combined starts.

The star along the Ole Miss offensive front is left tackle Greg Little.  The 6-foot-6, 325-pounder has garnered numerous preseason All-American honors after an All-SEC season in 2017.  CBSsports.com lists Little as the No. 35 overall 2019 NFL prospect but many services have him rated as the best tackle prospect in the nation and he could eventually be a first round NFL Draft pick.

One of 82 players on the preseason Outland Trophy watch list, Little is one of the favorites to bring home the award given annually to the best interior linemen in the nation.  But while he is the star of the Rebel o-line, the rest of the group is equally as impressive.

Playing next to Little is 6-foot-3, 314-pound senior left guard Javon Patterson. The former 5-star recruit has started every game of the past two seasons and is a fantastic player in his own right.

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At center, Ole Miss has another prestigious award watch list member.  Senior Sean Rawlings is the runt of the group at just 6-foot-5, 294-pounds.  Like Texas Tech center Paul Stawarz, Rawlings is on the Rimington Award watch list for the award given to the nation’s best center.

At right guard, redshirt freshman Ben Brown is the newcomer to the group.  But at 6-foot-5, 300-pounds, he is physically as imposing as his fellow linemen.  Brown won the starting job by beating out a fifth-year senior proving how talented he is despite his youth.

Rounding out the group is 6-foot-5, 304-pound right tackle Alex Givens.  The Nashville, TN native made five starts at tight tackle in a freshman All-SEC season in 2016 before starting seven games at guard a year ago.

Athlon Sports ranks this group as the No. 9 overall o-line in the nation.  That means the task facing the Red Raider defensive line is daunting.

Given the skill of the Rebel receivers, it would behoove David Gibbs’ defense to put consistent pressure on QB Jordan Ta’amu. However, Tech mustered only 18 sacks last year, fewest in the Big 12.

That is where veteran pass rushers like Eli Howard, Lonzell Gilmore, Kolin Hill and Tony Jones must step up.  And perhaps the Red Raiders can find some success against Brown by brining pressure up the middle in the form of defensive tackles Joe Wallace, Preston Gordon and Broderick Washington.

If Texas Tech is not able to generate a steady pass rush with its front four, the linebackers might be asked to blitz more than Gibbs prefers.  It would be optimal for Gibbs to be able to keep those linebackers in pass coverage, especially Dakota Allen who had two interceptions last year because bringing extra players on the rush puts some of the defensive backs on a island.

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It makes sense that former Rebel o-lineman turned head coach Matt Luke has made his o-line a priority and as Texas Tech and Ole Miss square off Saturday, keep an eye on the battle at the line of scrimmage.  Though the ball will likely be flying all around the stadium in Houston, the most important battle in the game will take place in the trenches.

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