Anyone thinking Ole Miss is sleeping on Louisville going into the first weekend of the year is not tapped in to what the team thinks.
While Rebel fans on social media may be touting a win already in the books, the offensive leader of the Ole Miss team was far more careful with his words.
In his pre-game press conference this week, quarterback Trinidad Chambliss complimented and spoke highly of the Louisville Cardinals defense.
Chambliss said everyone saw the Cardinals beat Miami last year in a defense first contest and that same Miami team knocked the Rebels out of the College Football Playoff.
“They have a very high motor, they play hard, they play physical,” he said. “They are a well coached team and got some good guys over there.“
It’s your normal response as a QB not to provide any bulletin board material to your opponent. He also answered questions about any distractions from the on-going saga with the LSU Tigers trying to bring on former NFL players to its roster and the implication his story is much like those of Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris. He said he has seen and heard the noise on social media, but it doesn’t really get to him.
“People are going to say what they want to say and have a narrative about you,” he said. “The only thing that matters is what I think and what my team thinks.”
As far as fall camp is concerned, Chambliss said the wide receiver room has been eager to learn and asking what they can do to make his job as QB easier. Chambliss also gave some insight to what he feels like he is doing better this preseason compared to last year when he started the season as a back-up to Austin Simmons.
“Being more vocal and leading by example in workouts, practice and breaking down film, and then a higher football IQ playing in the SEC last year,” he said.
Ole Miss and Louisville kickoff on Sunday, September 6 at 6:30 p.m. CT with a national broadcast on ABC.
