Ole Miss Spring Game 2015: Date, Start Time, TV Schedule, Live Stream and More

Coach Hugh Freeze and the Ole Miss Rebels face quite the challenge Saturday at the program's spring game, otherwise known as the Regions Bank Grove Bowl.

There, Freeze will search for at least continuity after a 9-4 campaign last season while hosting a quarterback competition, replacing critical starters on both sides of the football and going toe-to-toe with the injury bug.

After fading down the stretch last season, losing four of its last six games—including the Peach Bowl in 42-3 fashion—this weekend marks the beginning of an attempted return to SEC prominence for Ole Miss.

2015 Ole Miss Spring Game 

When: Saturday, April 11 at 12 p.m. ET

Where: Vaught-Hemingway Stadium

TV: SEC Network

Live Stream: WatchESPN

Preview

As it should, the quarterback battle takes center stage Saturday in Oxford.

Gone is leader Bo Wallace, who completed better than 60 percent of his passes last season and led the major upset of then-No. 3 Alabama in October. His backups, DeVante Kincade and Ryan Buchanan, attempted a combined 42 passes last year.

Conventional wisdom suggests former Clemson quarterback Chad Kelly, who arrived in January, is the favorite for the starting gig. Kelly's mobile in the pocket and can get up the field, which seems to make him a strong fit:

It helps last year he won a title at East Mississippi Community College, throwing for 3,906 yards, 47 touchdowns, eight interceptions and rushing for another 446 yards and four scores on the ground.

Recent reviews from the staff have been nothing short of glowing, as Riley Blevins of The Clarion-Ledger illustrates:

As the above video notes, running back will also come into serious focus Saturday.

The running game figures to take a bigger seat at the table than it has in recent years with inexperience leading the passing game. Jaylen Walton is back in the fold after flashing as an outside runner last year, averaging 5.5 yards per carry with 586 yards and five scores.

While those numbers are solid, Jordan Wilkins carried 52 times for 361 yards and a score, suggesting he can be the between-the-tackles bruiser Freeze wants, making the competition even more interesting.

Of course, neither back will look great if the team doesn't have enough linemen to suit up. Blevins notes the conundrum Freeze faces thanks to injuries across his offensive line:

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The Rebels were down to just eight able-bodied blockers at a point this spring, but Freeze said he now has 10 healthy offensive linemen at his disposal – just enough to divide up into two teams.

If any lineman goes down with an injury before Saturday, however, Freeze said the Rebels will scrimmage offense vs. defense instead of splitting into teams.

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On the opposite side of the ball, the secondary by far steals the spotlight. 

Freeze's defense ranked No. 1 last year with an average of just 16.0 points allowed per game, but losing corner Senquez Golson and safety Cody Prewitt to the NFL means Freeze's unit has a lot of work to do over the weekend.

In fact, the departure of top talent has created a few shifts to compensate. Trae Elston will move to safety, prompting sophomore C.J. Hampton to man his old spot. A hodgepodge of names such as Tee Shepard, Tony Bridges and sophomore Kendarius Webster will duke it out for playing time lower on the corner depth chart.

No matter which format Saturday's event takes, the key areas of observation are obvious. Freeze wants another elite defense and will get it if his new-look secondary can mesh well.

His offense must run to set up the pass, so the wealth of backs need to also put on a strong showing.

The search for a new identity in Oxford begins Saturday, and rest assured the rest of the SEC will be watching.

Info courtesy of OleMissSports.com unless otherwise specified.