Alabama at Ole Miss score, highlights: Tide rally back as Rebels blow big lead again

Alabama flexed its muscles over the final three quarters as Ole Miss faltered yet again

Another week, another massive lead blown by Ole Miss. Much like the opener against Florida State, the Rebels jumped out to a fast start against Alabama, taking a 24-3 lead in the second quarter before allowing the Tide to go on a 45-6 run to roar back in front and get the eventual 48-43 victory.

Alabama looked to be in danger in the first half with the offense stagnant for the better part of 25 minutes, but as the Tide did in their opener against USC, a late burst to end the second quarter made it a one-score game at the half.

What the Tide found was an advantage on the ground, rushing for 334 yards on 48 carries and three touchdowns on the ground. Quarterback Jalen Hurts wasn't especially effective through the air, completing 19-of-31 passes for 158 yards, but he was the leading rusher for the Tide with 146 yards. Damien Harris was not far behind with 144 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries.

Where Alabama did its damage on the ground, Ole Miss went through the air to jump out to the early lead and then to get back in the game late. Chad Kelly completed 26-of-41 passes for 421 yards, three touchdowns and an interception on Saturday afternoon, including a few absolute dimes to well-covered receivers.

As good as Kelly was, it was a pair of turnovers in the face of heavy Alabama pressure that resulted directly in two Alabama touchdowns -- two of three non-offensive scores for the Tide on Saturday. One was a sack fumble on the goal line that Da'Ron Payne recovered for a touchdown, and the second was a late 76-yard pick-six from big Jonathan Allen for Alabama's final score.

Eddie Jackson's late second quarter punt return was the other non-offensive touchdown as the Tide got scores from all three phases of the game, which is to be expected at this point under Saban.

Ole Miss gave it quite the effort, scoring two quick touchdowns late in the fourth quarter with the help of an onside kick, but Alabama was able to ice the game with a few first downs thanks to their rushing attack to preserve the victory and avoid a third straight loss to the Rebels.

The Tide have now passed their first two tests in USC and Ole Miss, and Alabama now figures to get a little bit of a break as the schedule lightens up over the next few weeks. This gives it an opportunity to tighten up some lingering issues. Chief among those is getting Hurts comfortable in the passing game to where he is more consistent. He's shown his arm strength and ability to make all the throws, but becoming comfortable with his reads and being more consistent with short-to-mid area accuracy.

For Ole Miss, it feels like this is what the Rebels are going to be all season. They're going to have chances to beat teams, but relying so much on Kelly and the deep passing game brings turnovers into play against teams with aggressive defensive fronts that can create pressure. The defense was stellar for the better part of the first half, but, like against Florida State, depth and fatigue became an issue as the game wore on.

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