Pete Golding used the word “elite” and “bad luck” to describe the Texas team his Ole Miss Rebels will face on Saturday during his Monday local press conference.
There was a lot of coachspeak as would be expected before a top 25 football game especially with the Rebels traveling to Darrell K Royal Memorial Stadium this week. Golding and his team expect a very high level atmosphere and intensity from the Longhorn faithful given the stakes of this game featuring playoff contenders looking to avoid another regular season loss.
Golding emphasized Texas has the massive quality win over Ohio State, has the former number one ranking pedigree and an elite quarterback in Arch Manning, He said the Longhorns have just had some bad luck, some timely drops and with one of the best playcallers in the game in its head coach Steve Sarkisian, are one of the best teams in the country.
To prepare for Texas, the first year head coach said his defense has to stay ahead of the chains on defense and get the Longhorns in obvious passing downs to have an advantage and provide a chance to win. He said he fully expects Sarkisian to establish the run game first and foremost to set up play-action pass on Saturday.
On the injury front, the ongoing management of Kewan Lacy’s shoulder injury and cycling in Makhi Frazier and JT Lindsey will continue for this week. Lacy, a Texas native, grew up a fan of the Longhorns and wanted to play this week and get back on the field again, Golding said.
Ole Miss and Texas will kickoff at 6:30 p.m. CT on Saturday and will be broadcast live on ABC.