When Ole Miss upset Alabama last October and leaped onto the national stage, even head coach Hugh Freeze was shocked at how quickly he turned around the fortunes of the program.
"We certainly expatiated the process some in just two years and five games, and now knocking off what's really been the gold standard in college football." he told ESPN's Tom Rinaldi on a crowded field at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium (via YouTube).
It turns out it was too much, too soon.
Injuries to wide receiver Laquon Treadwell, tackle Laremy Tunsil, guard Aaron Morris, linebacker Denzel Nkemdiche and safety Trae Elston bit the Rebels down the stretch a year ago and played a big part in November losses to Auburn and Arkansas, as well as the TCU blowout at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.