Sugar Bowl 2016: Game Grades, Analysis for Oklahoma State vs. Ole Miss

The No. 12 Ole Miss Rebels defeated the No. 16 Oklahoma State Cowboys 48-20 to win the 2016 Sugar Bowl on New Year's Day in New Orleans.

Ole Miss quarterback Chad Kelly completed 21-of-33 passes for 302 yards and four touchdowns. Junior receiver Laquon Treadwell caught six passes and three touchdowns in what could be his final collegiate game. 

Positional Unit	First-Half Grade	Second-Half Grade
Pass Offense	C-	C
Run Offense	F	D+
Pass Defense	D+	D+
Run Defense	C+	C
Special Teams	C	C-
Coaching	C-	C

Pass Offense: Mason Rudolph made some good throws, but he was the victim of several drops. J.W. Walsh came in late and moved the ball, but the game was already decided. The Cowboys struggled to protect the passer all night.

Run Offense: Oklahoma State will have more yards in the box score than it deserved. Much of that was due to Walsh's scrambling late. The Cowboys had zero yards rushing at halftime, showing the running game was a non-factor. 

Pass Defense: The Cowboys picked off Kelly on the first drive, but they did little after. Ole Miss receivers were open at every level and Oklahoma State struggled to put pressure on Kelly, making things even tougher on its overmatched secondary. 

Run Defense: OSU allowed 96 yards in the first half on the ground and over 200 overall. The Rebels used the pass to set up the run and the Cowboys had no answer for it. 

Special Teams: The Cowboys had just 15 total return yards, averaged only 38 yards per punt and fumbled a punt. Kicker Ben Grogan did hit both of his field-goal attempts. Overall, not enough from this unit. 

Coaching: It's tough to put this one on the coaches. There was a major talent discrepancy. However, why didn't Gundy mix in Walsh earlier in the game? And why didn't defensive coordinator Glenn Spencer get more creative to pressure Kelly? 

Positional Unit	First-Half Grade	Second-Half Grade
Pass Offense	A-	A
Run Offense	B+	A-
Pass Defense	A-	B+
Run Defense	A+	A-
Special Teams	B+	B
Coaching	A	A

Pass Offense: Kelly was as good, if not better, than any quarterback this bowl season. He made some big-time throws down the field and his only mistake was an interception on his first drive. Treadwell turned in another dominant performance, as Oklahoma State had no answer for him. 

Run Offense: Kelly led the Rebels in rushing yards with 73. Overall, the Rebels ran for 207 yards and two scores. 

Pass Defense: Oklahoma State passed for 303 yards, but it had very few big plays. Ole Miss was physical with OSU's receivers, forcing a lot of checkdowns. The physicality also played a big part in all of the Oklahoma State dropped passes. 

Run Defense: The Rebels held the Cowboys to 63 yards rushing. Walsh's 74 yards came in the fourth quarter with the game already out of reach. Ole Miss was dominant versus the run as Cowboy running backs finished with 14 carries for 15 yards. 

Special Teams: The Rebels averaged 46 yards per punt and forced a fumble on special teams in the second half. Gary Wunderlich hit both of his first-half field goals before missing one in the second half. 

Coaching: Ole Miss may have more talent than Oklahoma State, but the Rebels are far more aggressive on both sides of the football, too. Hugh Freeze's gamble to throw to offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil with five seconds left in the half paid off in a major way. Offensively, Ole Miss called a terrific game in all four quarters.