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Mizzou Football: Will John Rhys Plumlee challenge Tigers on the ground?

By Dakota Cox

OXFORD, MISSISSIPPI - OCTOBER 05: John Rhys Plumlee #10 of the Mississippi Rebels throws the ball during the second half of a game against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on October 05, 2019 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
OXFORD, MISSISSIPPI - OCTOBER 05: John Rhys Plumlee #10 of the Mississippi Rebels throws the ball during the second half of a game against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on October 05, 2019 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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It’s a big week for Mizzou football, as it will be facing Ole Miss at home. What should the Tigers expect against John Rhys Plumlee?

Mizzou football weathered the storm after a frustrating loss to Wyoming to open the season. After that one game, Missouri’s schedule gets progressively tougher. Before they get to the juggernaut in Georgia, they have to get through the bulk of their SEC schedule, including the game this week against Ole Miss.

The Rebels are currently one of the worst teams in the SEC West, but they have hope for the rest of this season. When Matt Corral went down with an injury, John Rhys Plumlee stepped in, and he’s given the Rebels a wrinkle in their offense.

Although Matt Corral had the ability to be mobile, Rhys Plumlee relies on that aspect of his game to be successful. He’s a great combination of agile and aggressive when he decided to tuck the ball and run. He’s no Johnny Manziel, but he’s a hassle to scheme against in the run game.

If he was just a running threat, it would be easy to stop him. However, he has the ability to throw the deep ball occasionally. His accuracy is weak, but he’s good enough to throw deep down the field and at least give his receivers a chance.

So, will Rhys Plumlee challenge the Tigers? If so, it will only be on the ground.

Most of his throws are quick to the flat, as Ole Miss doesn’t want to put its fate in the hands of the freshman quarterback’s arm when he’s more of a runner. With multiple games under his belt (including a full game against Alabama), there should be enough film to learn how to slow him down. You just have to track him from the snap. It’s not conventional anymore, but spying him might be the key. He runs just as much as he throws, and he usually gains more on the ground.

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This game is not a guaranteed win for the Tigers, but I don’t see them having too many issues with John Rhys Plumlee on the ground. I’m assuming they have focused on the run game all week in practice. Even if Plumlee can get the occasional big play, having Kelly Bryant available on offense should let the Tigers come out on top.

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