The Ole Miss Rebels football team is 4-0 to start the 2024 season, but have not played the same competition they will later on this season.
Leading the Ole Miss offense has been star quarterback and NFL hopeful Jaxson Dart, a Rebels veteran and definite fan favorite.
Thus far into the season, Dart is responsible for 15 touchdowns and over 1600 yards total through four games. Dart has not been perfect, suffering five sacks and throwing two interceptions, but has been one of the better quarterbacks in college football. The quarterback has a completion rate of 79.8% against opposing defenses along with an average of 13.1 yards per completion.
With how well Dart has been playing for the Rebels thus far, along with the dominance of the Rebels, Ole Miss fans believe the quarterback should be considered for the Heisman Trophy.
Jaxson Dart should absolutely be in the heisman conversation
— Mike (@MikeForcella) September 22, 2024
Jaxson Dart is my Heisman rn
— 🇺🇸 (@DDOLLPPHHIINNSS) September 22, 2024
Dart and the Rebels offense have put together 220 points in four games while allowing just 22 points on defense. However, Ole Miss has played Furman, Middle Tennessee, Wake Forest, and Georgia Southern to begin the 2024 season. The Rebels were 20-point favorites over the Demon Deacons, which is the lowest expected win margin for the team through the first four games.
The Rebels have not been particularly challenged thus far, which could be the reason why Dart has been left out of the Heisman conversation. However, the quarterback has also been rather impressive and the team has played excellently, which should be taken into account.
Jaxson Dart #Heisman Let’s start the conversation. Being the best against the worst counts for something!!! pic.twitter.com/4HaQv5R5Hk
— Pete Turner (@peter_turner_) September 22, 2024
Ole Miss Rebels QB Jaxson Dart Could Become Heisman Trophy Candidate Following Kentucky, South Carolina Games
While the Rebels and Dart may not have been challenged thus far, the schedule will get much harder moving forward. Kentucky, South Carolina, #14 LSU, and #21 Oklahoma are the next four opponents for the Rebels.
Following a tough set of four games for the Rebels, Ole Miss must face Arkansas, #2 Georgia, Florida, and Mississippi State to finish out the schedule.
Dart will have his first real test against South Carolina when the Rebels travel to take on the Gamecocks. But, the quarterback will need to get through a tough Kentucky defense in Mississippi before doing so. Kentucky could pose a real threat to the potential Heisman Trophy chances for Dart due to the defense.
Currently, the Kentucky defense averages one sack, interception, and forced fumble per game through the first four. While the Wildcats might be a 2-2 team that allowed the Gamecocks to score 31 points, the same defense also held Georgia to just 13 points.
Dart will have to get past the Wildcats and Gamecocks cleanly before likely receiving any real Heisman Trophy respect from major voters.
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What do you think about Ole Miss and Jaxson Dart so far during the 2024 season?
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