[Tuck4Bama]

OXFORD — John Thompson has been dissecting the first challenge since last spring, watching play after play of the spread offense at work in the film room.

He consumed a steady diet of four- and five-receiver sets. He watched quarterbacks whip the ball to receivers running short, precise routes. He studied running backs who zipped through space created by a defense spread thin, part of the primary plan.

So when Ole Miss opens the season against Memphis in the Liberty Bowl today at 2:30 p.m., he knows exactly what to expect from the Tigers' spread. But stopping it will be the challenging part for his new-look defense.

"We attacked it in the spring, and we attacked it in the summer," Thompson said. "We had a copy of the schedule, we knew it was coming. We have spent a lot of time on it. It's tough. Guys have to be very disciplined and formation recognition is critical."

UM Football: How to stop the spread?