‘Ran Roughshod,’ ‘Going To Cost Trinidad Chambliss the Heisman’ — Stephen A. Smith Reveals Why Ole Miss Star Could Miss Out on Major Honor
NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...
Trinidad Chambliss had been exceptional through the first three games of the season before Ole Miss suffered a 52-28 road loss to Florida. The quarterback entered the game 3-0 as a starter this season and 14-2 overall at Ole Miss.
Chambliss had emerged as a Heisman favorite, but Stephen A. Smith believes the loss could significantly hurt his chances at the award.
Trinidad Chambliss Faces a Tougher Heisman Road After Loss
Chambliss wasn’t the problem against the Gators. He completed 25 of 34 passes for 298 yards, one touchdown and one interception, and added 44 rushing yards and two touchdowns on the ground, all without running back Kewan Lacy.
On “First Take,” Smith acknowledged that Chambliss played without Lacy and was under pressure all night. But he believes the scoreboard will matter more than the stat line.
“Florida’s offense ran roughshod over Ole Miss defense, 302 yards rushing, gotta give credit where credit is due,” Smith said. “In the end, I think the lopsided affair in which this happened is going to cost Trinidad Chambliss the Heisman.”
Is Ole Miss’ Defense the Real Problem?
The numbers back up Smith’s point. Florida piled up 498 total yards, including 302 on the ground, and the loss wasn’t an outlier. Ole Miss’ defense carries a 69.2 grade in PFN’s CFB Team Defense Impact Score, ranking behind programs such as Connecticut, Rutgers and Southern Miss.
DIVE IN:PFN’s Free CFB HQ — Team and Player Stats, Info, and More
That’s a surprising start for a team led by new head coach Pete Golding, who came up on the defensive side of the ball. Expectations were high for the unit entering the season, and so far, it hasn’t delivered.
One loss doesn’t erase what Chambliss did earlier this season. He threw for 336 yards and three touchdowns in a 41-38 Week 1 win over Louisville, then led Ole Miss past LSU 32-24 two weeks later.
He still ranks among the top five nationally with 1,222 passing yards and sits No. 36 in PFN’s College QB Impact Score with an 82.4 grade, leaving room to climb.
PREDICT THE CFB SEASON:PFN’s Free CFB Playoff Predictor
Smith’s prediction may also be premature, with major games against Texas, Mississippi State and others still ahead. But if Chambliss is going to stay in the race, Ole Miss has to keep winning, and that starts with fixing the defense.
This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.
More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos