Alabama vs. Ole Miss: Analyzing Biggest X-Factors in Clash of SEC Undefeateds

Alabama entered the season with the expectation that it would qualify for the College Football Playoff. It is certainly in position to do precisely that, but it will have to get past a fellow undefeated SEC team in order to keep those hopes alive.

The No. 3 Crimson Tide travel to Oxford, Mississippi, to take on the 4-0 Ole Miss Rebels Saturday in a game that will have huge implications on both the SEC and the national title scene as well. With No. 2 Oregon having already lost to Arizona this week, the door is wide open for both of these teams to establish themselves.

'Bama is predictably favored, but winning against a rival on the road is never easy, especially when that rival happens to be very good. Both teams obviously need their top stars to shine, but the emergence of some less-heralded players could also play a huge role in this game.

With SEC supremacy on the line, here are the three biggest X-factors to watch in Saturday's tilt between Alabama and Mississippi.

Robert Nkemdiche

With both the Alabama and Ole Miss offenses firing on all cylinders, it is understandable why much of the focus heading into this game has been on scoring. With that said, the Crimson Tide and Rebels also happen to have two of the nation's top defenses.

In fact, 'Bama and Ole Miss rank sixth and fourth, respectively, in total defense through four games. The sample size isn't huge, but it is big enough to suggest that these defensive units are very much for real.

The Tide have been elite defensively for years, but Mississippi is just coming into its own on that side of the ball. One of the main reasons for that is the presence of sophomore defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche, who is quickly developing into one of the best linemen in the country.

Nkemdiche's numbers are modest with one sack and one tackle for loss, but he commands attention that allows his teammates to run free. His raw physical skills are incredible, and they already have draft experts like Dane Brugler of CBS Sports salivating over his NFL potential:

Alabama will have to be cognizant of Nkemdiche throughout Saturday's game since he can disrupt both the passing and running games. Tide quarterback Blake Sims won't have a chance if Nkemdiche gets in his face, while the running back tandem of Derrick Henry and T.J. Yeldon may find it difficult to identify lanes as well.

If Nkemdiche wasn't dangerous enough in an ordinary game, he is clearly pumped about the atmosphere that will be present at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, according to David Brandt of The Associated Press (h/t SunHerald.com).

"It's going to be wild," Nkemdiche said. "Ole Miss has a great fan base. That's one reason I came here. Rebel Nation is going to be rocking and we're going to be locked in ready to go. I can't wait."

The Rebels need Nkemdiche to be a difference-maker in order to win this game. Even if he doesn't dominate statistically, he has to be a disruptive force. If he is able to do that, then Ole Miss has a legitimate chance to pull off the upset.

Kenyan Drake

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Alabama's offense has been excellent this season despite losing key players such as quarterback A.J. McCarron. Sims has stepped in and played extremely well, but he has had plenty of help. Wide receiver Amari Cooper is a superstar, while the likes of Henry and Yeldon take a lot of the pressure off his shoulders.

One player who doesn't receive enough credit, though, is running back Kenyan Drake. As the third wheel in the running back trio, Drake often gets overshadowed. He makes his playing time count, though, with nearly 300 total yards and four touchdowns on just 26 touches.

Drake is among the most dynamic players in the country, which is something ESPN analyst Danny Kanell believes is evident even on the practice field:

Perhaps the best aspect of Drake's game is his ability to contribute as a pass-catcher. Drake has just four catches, but they have gone for 149 yards and two touchdowns. When Drake finds himself in space, it often proves nearly impossible to catch him and take him down.

Ole Miss has an aggressive defense, which is something that Sims and Drake can take advantage of. Swarming can be a great strategy, but it sometimes leads to overpursuing, which then leaves the defense susceptible to plays like screen passes.

Drake can change a game with one touch, and that is essentially the definition of an X-factor in college football.

Jaylen Walton

Rogelio V. Solis/Associated Press

The Mississippi offense is largely predicated on the play of senior quarterback Bo Wallace. He is among the best signal-callers in the SEC and is averaging over 300 yards and nearly three touchdowns per game thus far. The Rebels can't afford to be one-dimensional on Saturday, though.

That means Ole Miss must commit to the running game and at least present the threat of the run to keep Alabama honest. That isn't something that the Rebels have done a ton of through four games. As seen in this graphic courtesy of StatMilk, offensive balance isn't necessarily Mississippi's strong suit:

The Rebels do have the ability to grind out yardage on the ground, however, with junior Jaylen Walton leading the way. Walton leads Ole Miss with 199 rushing yards and three touchdowns despite carrying the ball just 29 times. He is averaging nearly seven yards per carry, which suggests that head coach Hugh Freeze would be wise to get the ball in his hands a little more often.

In addition to that, Walton is embracing the awesome atmosphere that will be present in Oxford on Saturday afternoon:

Going up against a team like Alabama, it is entirely possible that Walton and the rest of Mississippi's backs are feeling somewhat disrespected. They can change that with a strong performance, and it could potentially lead to an upset victory as well.

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