Ole Miss boasts the No. 2 ranked offense in the nation, largely thanks to wide receiver Cayden Lee’s impressive performance.
The sophomore from Kennesaw, Georgia, has recorded 40 receptions for 696 yards and a touchdown this season, averaging 17.4 yards per catch. In the Rebels’ victory against Georgia on November 9, Lee caught four passes for 81 yards.
Even though he’s missed some time due to injuries, Lee has been a significant factor, especially with SEC’s top receiver Tre Harris sidelined since October. “Tre is a fantastic player, and we all recognize that,” Lee stated on Tuesday. “However, we needed to maintain our momentum and not drop off our performance to reach our current position. The offense is performing well, and when Tre returns, I believe it will enhance our play even more.”
Lee’s perspective is accurate. The Rebels have maintained their lead in total offense despite Harris’ absence, and with his return anticipated for Saturday, the team’s established momentum is likely to improve further.
The Rebels’ offensive surge can be attributed in part to a “playoff game” mentality, where they understand the importance of winning to remain competitive in the College Football Playoff race.
“We understand that we control our own destiny,” Lee explained. “But every game feels like a playoff game because having three losses makes it very challenging. We need to treat every game as crucial, and we must continue putting in the effort to win.”
As for the playoff picture, Ole Miss is currently in the thick of it, holding the No. 9 spot in the latest CFP Rankings released Tuesday night. When asked about the rankings before their release, Lee acknowledged he doesn’t focus on them much at this point in the season.
“The rankings are nice, but ultimately they don’t really matter,” Lee remarked. “If we’re ranked No. 1 and then lose, it doesn’t mean anything. The only ranking that counts is the one at the end of the season.”
The Rebels are set to face Florida in Gainesville this Saturday, with kickoff scheduled for 11:00 a.m. CT, and the game will be broadcast on ABC.
