Football
ESPN predicts winner of Ole Miss-Kentucky game on Saturday
It’s time now for Rebels to start playing serious games with four dominating non-conference wins and it will be tougher.
OXFORD, Miss. — After front-loading its schedule with sweet treats the first four weeks, it’s now time for No. 6 Ole Miss to enter SEC play against the Kentucky Wildcats 2-2 (0-2 SEC).
The Rebels’ prolific offense will now be challenged against a Kentucky defense that has experienced its fair share of ups and downs through the first four weeks of the season. That might be the reason ESPN’s Football Power Index gives Ole Miss a 90.5% chance of winning this Saturday.
This series has often favored Ole Miss over the years with the Rebels’ leading the all-time series 29-14-1. Looking at the series history, Kentucky hasn’t been victorious in Oxford since 1978 when it won 24-17.
Both teams played non-conference tune-up games going into week five with Ole Miss defeating Georgia Southern 52-13 and Kentucky stuffing Ohio’s offense 41-6. Against conference opponents, the Wildcats have surrendered 22 points (No. 6) and 257 yards per game (No. 2) in league play.
Sep 21, 2024; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats defensive back Zion Childress (11) celebrates with defensive back Maxwell Hairston (1) after Harrison intercepts an Ohio Bobcats pass and scores a touchdown during the third quarter at Kroger Field. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images
Rebels coach Lane Kiffin’s offense is one of the more explosive units in the country this season averaging 671 yards (No. 1 nationally) and leading the nation in points per game with 55. His quarterbacks are completing a shade over 73% of passes with 13 touchdown passes to go along.
“Everyone talks about the offense and the tempo and the explosive plays, which is well-deserved being the No. 1 offense in the country,” Stoops said told reporters Monday. “670 yards per game, 422 passing, 248 rushing, so, really amazing, eye-popping statistics. They really do a great job with Lane and Charlie Wies Jr. Their whole offensive staff is remarkable. They’re a very good football team offensively.”
Sep 14, 2024; Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA; Mississippi Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin during the first half against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
Kiffin was equally high on Kentucky’s “NFL-like” defense Monday. The unit will provide a much more physical challenge than Ole Miss has previously faced.
Even though Ole Miss still has multiple ranked opponents left on its schedule like No. 14 LSU, No. 2 Georgia and No. 21 Oklahoma, the Rebels still have the weakest remaining strength of schedule in the SEC. Passing the eye test is likely necessary if fans plan on chanting “Hotty Toddy” come time for the College Football Playoffs.
Ole Miss will kick off against Kentucky on Saturday at noon with the game being broadcast nationally on ABC.
Football
Ole Miss to learn plenty with CFP rankings: Rebel Roundup
Your daily briefing on what’s going on with Ole Miss Athletics.
Ole Miss football will get a lot of its questions answered tonight.
The College Football Playoff Committee will release its third edition of its rankings at 6 p.m. tonight on ESPN. The Rebels figure to be included in the committee’s rankings, but where they’re ranked – and more importantly where other teams are ranked – will be telling to how clear the Rebels’ path to a playoff berth is.
The SEC has five teams with two losses and how the committee ranks those teams will determine who just needs to win out and who needs help.
For the Rebels, what will be important to know is where does the committee rank Georgia? How far does Tennessee fall after losing to the Bulldogs? Is LSU fall out of the top 25? How far does South Carolina rise after beating Missouri? Is Ole Miss ranked ahead of BYU (who lost to unranked Kansas, but still in contention for the Big 12 championship)? Where does the highest-ranked Group of 5 team rank?
How the committee answers those questions will go a long way in determining in if Ole Miss simply needs to just win its final two games or needs to rack up style points in those wins?
Of course, a loss will put the Rebels in the same boat as LSU. Out of the playoffs.
Yesterday’s Ole Miss Results
Women’s Basketball: Ole Miss 76, Jackson State 44
Today’s Ole Miss Schedule
Women’s Tennis: NCAA Individual Championship, Waco, Texas
Did You Notice?
Ole Miss coach Yolet McPhee-McCuin won her 200th career game, and 106th at Ole Miss, with the Rebels dispatching Jackson Stte 76-44 at SJB Pavillion on Kids Day.
Daily Dose Of Archie Manning
“I really don’t think I have lived my life as an open book.”
We’ll Leave You With This
Football
What Josh Pate thought about where Ole Miss ranked in AP poll
The Ole Miss Reels were ranked No. 9 by the media in Sunday’s poll and Josh Pate released his reaction
OXFORD, Miss. — The Ole Miss Reels were ranked No. 9 by the media in Sunday’s poll and Josh Pate released his reaction on YouTube on Monday.
Football
With a clear path to the playoff, Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin talks to reporters
The Rebels’ head coach spoke with reporters about a variety of issues.
OXFORD, Miss. – Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin and his players came into the 2024 season with the loftiest goals and highest expectations an Ole Miss team has had since a Manning played quarterback.
Despite a shocking home loss to Kentucky and overtime loss to LSU, the Rebels are still in position to accomplish most of those goals. An conference championship isn’t likely, but a spot in the new 12-team playoff is and the Rebels’ path is crystal clear.
Beat Florida. Beat Mississippi State in the Egg Bowl.
If Ole Miss can win those two games, it should be in the playoff.
With that in mind, Kiffin started the week off with his weekly Monday press conference with reporters and talked about the playoffs and much more.
WATCH:
“He’s now become the rat poison.”
-Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin on Nick Saban being complimentary of his team this season. pic.twitter.com/PziIml0m3d
— Brad Logan (@BradLoganCOTE) November 18, 2024
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