Jordan Watkins and the 8-1 Ole Miss football team are well-aware of what lies ahead of them.

They’re off this week. But should Alabama beat LSU on Saturday, in a week’s time, they would host the Crimson Tide for a 2014-like atmosphere turned up to 11.

First place in the SEC West. Pole position for the SEC title game and College Football Playoff.

All on the line.

“We’ve just got to block out the noise and play our game. Our main focus is to go 1-0 every week,” Watkins said Monday, in the latest edition of Wat’s Life, an Ole Miss podcast in association with the Ole Miss Spirit and Talk of Champions.

“We know what’s at stake. We all know what we could accomplish and where we can go. That’s going to be something I’ll never forget, whether we win or lose. We’ll give it our best shot. I can’t wait to lock the Vaught and put on a show for Oxford.”

Watkins and the Rebels are riding out their bye on a high.

Ole Miss bounced back from its first loss of the season at LSU with a 31-28 win at Texas A&M. Kickoff against Alabama is set for November 12 at 2:30 p.m. CT on CBS.

One of the biggest takeaways from College Station, at least in Watkins’ view, is the continued growth of quarterback Jaxson Dart, who threw for three touchdowns and no interceptions in his eighth overall Ole Miss start and the 11th of his career. 

Dart also carried a career-high 17 times for 95 yards. He’s rushed for at least 95 yards in three games this season.

“He keeps growing day in and day out,” Watkins said. “He’s the heart of our team, especially offensively.”

True freshman running back Quinshon Judkins also rushed for the ninth-most yards (205) in a single game in program history. He’s already the ninth Rebel ever to cross the 1,000-yard plateau, and his 1,036 yards are good for ninth all-time. 

Ole Miss still has three regular-season games to go.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen a true freshman as good as him,” Watkins said. “He’s one of the best players I’ve been around throughout my career. We have a special running back room in general, but I think he’s the cream of the crop whenever it comes to running backs in the country right now.”

Plus, Watkins discusses his Halloween plans and upcoming NFL Draft decision, as well as the reality of playing for Lane Kiffin, the evolution of the Ole Miss offense and much, much more.

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