Does Ole Miss Have the Depth to Recover from Injuries, Compete for Title?

When Ole Miss upset Alabama last October and leaped onto the national stage, even head coach Hugh Freeze was shocked at how quickly he turned around the fortunes of the program.

"We certainly expatiated the process some in just two years and five games, and now knocking off what's really been the gold standard in college football." he told ESPN's Tom Rinaldi on a crowded field at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium (via YouTube).

It turns out it was too much, too soon.

Injuries to wide receiver Laquon Treadwell, tackle Laremy Tunsil, guard Aaron Morris, linebacker Denzel Nkemdiche and safety Trae Elston bit the Rebels down the stretch a year ago and played a big part in November losses to Auburn and Arkansas, as well as the TCU blowout at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.

The Rebels are being challenged again, and that likely will cost them a shot at the SEC West title.

Linebacker C.J. Johnson will miss four to six games after undergoing surgery for a torn meniscus, according to Daniel Paulling of the Jackson Clarion-Ledger. 

“The best thing I love about playing sports is that it challenges your guts and determination,” Johnson posted on Facebook according to Paulling. “When the game knocked you down you get up and keep fighting."

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This on top of injures that have cost tackles Isaac Gross and Herbert Moore their seasons and the injury to star 'Huskie' Tony Conner, who underwent knee surgery in September. His injury forced Freeze to insert A.J. Moore in that role, but things have changed after two weeks of struggles for the sophomore.

"We struggled a little at the 'Huskie' position the last couple weeks, not because of a lack of effort or having the experience Tony had, or the tackling skill or physicality," Freeze said on Monday, according to Ole Miss' official site. "We have struggled there a few times. We’ll probably bring Mike Hilton in there and see how it goes the next few weeks."

That also forced Freeze to make some changes at 'Rover' to replace Hilton—a 5'9", 184-pound senior.

“We would put Trae Elston (at 'Rover') and sophomore C.J. Hampton would play free safety," Freeze said. "Chief (Brown) would back up C.J. and we’d move Kendarius (Webster) back to 'Rover.'"

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Confused yet?

It's history repeating itself for Ole Miss, which has also been without the potential All-American Tunsil all season due to an ongoing NCAA investigation.

Unlike last season, though, there is some depth available to help withstand these major losses. 

Elston and Hilton are both incredibly experienced and should have no problem sliding into their new roles at 'Rover' (safety) and 'Huskie' (big nickel), respectively.

The biggest question is whether Hampton can handle the bigger role at free safety. A 6'0", 179-pound sophomore, Hampton was a 4-star prospect in the class of 2014 but has primarily played a backup and special teams role during his first year-and-a-half in Oxford.

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With that said, though, he's certainly loaded with potential and playing for a defensive coordinator in Dave Wommack who's well-versed on mixing and matching pieces in the secondary on the fly.

Johnson's injury, however, is a bit more difficult to withstand.

He was moved back from defensive end last offseason specifically due to lack of depth. Christian Russell (6'0", 232 pounds) started in his middle linebacker spot in the season opener when Johnson was suspended, and 6'1", 216-pound junior college transfer Terry Caldwell could also be an option. 

Luckily for Freeze, New Mexico State won't be much of a challenge. That Memphis Tigers team led by quarterback Paxton Lynch, however, could be a challenge next weekend if Russell or Caldwell can't get that defense lined up in the proper spots. 

Ole Miss has the bodies to replace Conner, but Johnson's injury could be huge for a defense and a team that's been riddled with injuries so far this season. After New Mexico State and Memphis, Ole Miss has Texas A&M, visits Auburn and hosts Arkansas before the bye week. The Aggies offense is predictably difficult to deal with, and Auburn and Arkansas pound the rock—which could expose the hole left by Johnson's injury.

History could be repeating itself in Oxford, and that championship-level depth might be more myth than reality.

Quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Recruiting information is courtesy of 247Sports. Statistics are courtesy of CFBStats.com. 

Barrett Sallee is the lead SEC college football writer and national college football video analyst for Bleacher Report as well as a host on Bleacher Report Radio on SiriusXM 83. Follow Barrett on Twitter @BarrettSallee.