OXFORD – The Daily Journal continues its look at No. 6 Ole Miss’ (10-1, 6-1 SEC) progress in the six games since the team’s first bye week. Today will be a look at the defense at the second bye. Ole Miss is 5-1 since its first off-week following a win over LSU on Sept. 27. As always, these grades are subjective.

Ole Miss plays at Mississippi State next Friday at 11 a.m. The game will be broadcast on ABC.

Defensive line

After a slow start – particularly in the pass-rush department – Ole Miss’ defensive front has found its stride. The Rebels had five sacks through the first bye week. They have 17 in the six games since, including a six-sack effort against South Carolina. Junior edge rusher Princewill Umanmielen has been a force since the first bye, notching 4.5 of his team-high 5.5 sacks over the last six games. Sophomore Kam Franklin has 5 of his 6.5 tackles-for-loss since the bye while classmate Will Echoles has 3.5 of his 6 tackles-for-loss over that frame. Also of note – the Rebels are giving up 120.8 yards per game rushing over the last six. Over the first five games of the season, that number was 163.8. The defensive line deserves some credit for the turnaround.

Grade: A-

Linebackers

Junior TJ Dottery has been as steady as they come this season, having racked up 37 tackles since the bye week. Junior Suntarine Perkins has stepped up in a big way since the first bye, notching 5.5 of his 6.5 tackles-for-loss in the last six games. He’s also logged both of his sacks in that span and tipped a crucial pass against Florida that was intercepted by senior safety Wydett Williams Jr. As was the case with the defensive front, the Rebels’ linebacking corps deserves credit for the defense’s turnaround in stopping the run.

Senior Andrew Jones has stepped up recently as well – he has 20 of his 23 tackles over the last five games. Is there a Chris “Pooh” Paul Jr., a Butkus Award finalist last season, on this team? Likely not. But the group is very, very solid.

Grade: B+

Secondary

Speaking of Williams: He has been a revelation for the Rebels’ secondary since transferring from ULM in the offseason. He leads the team with three interceptions, with a pair of those having come since the first bye, and has 31 tackles in the last six games. Junior Auburn transfer Antonio Kite has been the Rebels’ most consistent cornerback this season despite missing a pair of games and has four pass breakups. Redshirt sophomore Jaylon Braxton is finally healthy and is making his mark at both cornerback and safety.

Ole Miss has had a few breakdowns in coverage against deep passes recently – South Carolina receiver Nyck Harbor’s 47-yard touchdown catch and 47- and 57-yard completions from Florida quarterback DJ Lagway come to mind – which is a bit worrisome. The Rebels have allowed 191.8 yards per game through the air the last six contests, though The Citadel’s 23-yard performance certainly helps that figure. Ole Miss has given up 25 plays of at least 20 yards through the air this season, per CFBStats.

Grade: B