LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — The last time Ole Miss beat Kentucky by more than 17 points Mark Stoops was the co-defensive coordinator at the University of Houston and Lane Kiffin was a quality control assistant coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars.
That was Sept. 30, 2000. Ole Miss hung a 35-17 defeat on the Wildcats in Oxford.
Since then the programs have played eight times with Ole Miss winning six, the last three by 3, 1 and 3.
The wise guys in Las Vegas do not believe Saturday’s game between the Wildcats and Rebels will be decided by a field goal or less. Ole Miss, ranked No. 6 in the Associated Press poll, is favored by beat UK by 17 1/2 points as the Rebels pursue what many believe will be a season that results in a spot in the 12-team national playoff.
Maybe Kentucky (2-2) can alter that plan Saturday.
The Time: Saturday, Noon, Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, Oxford, Miss.
How to Watch/Listen: TV — ABC WHAS 11 (Sean McDonough, play by play; Greg McElroy, analyst; Molly McGrath, sidelines); Radio — 840 AM WHAS (Tom Leach, play by play; Jeff Piecoro, analyst; Dick Gabriel, sidelines).
The Line: Point Spread Ole Miss favored by 17 1/2; Over/under total points 52 1/2.
The Last Time: The Wildcats lost to the Rebels, 22-19, two seasons ago in Oxford.
The Series: Ole Miss has won the last three games to extend its advantage to 30-14-1.
The Records: Kentucky sandwiched SEC losses to South Carolina and Georgia between wins over Southern Miss and Ohio University. Ole Miss has played the softest schedule in the SEC, defeating Furman, Middle Tennessee, Wake Forest and Georgia Southern, with only the Wake game on the road.
Player to Watch Kentucky: Halfback Demie Sumo-Karngbaye’s best game this season came against the best competition when he ran for 98 yards on 22 carries against Georgia two weeks ago. Although he’s still looking for his first 100-yard rushing game, Sumo-Karngbaye scored a pair of touchdowns last week against Ohio. Ole Miss leads the SEC in rushing defense, allowing 34.5 yards per game. The Rebels have yet to allow a rushing touchdown.
Player to Watch Ole Miss: Quarterback Jaxson Dart leads the nation in passing yards per game, averaging 388.5 with 12 touchdowns and two interceptions. Dart has completed nearly 80% of his throws and has thrown for at least 377 yards in all four games.
Sideline Storylines:
- This is the first of four road games for the Wildcats, who will later visit Florida, Tennessee and Texas. All but Florida are ranked among the top 6 teams in the AP poll.
- The Wildcats rank sixth in the nation (but only fourth in the SEC) in total defense, limiting all four opponents to less than 300 yards.
- Linebacker D’Eryk Jackson leads UK in tackles with 19 as he is in line to be the team’s leading tackler for the third consecutive season.
- The Wildcats’ last win over a ranked opponent came last season when they upset No. 9 Louisville. That was the highest ranked team Kentucky has defeated during the Mark Stoops Era.
- Ole Miss is 24-2 in its last 26 home games with the losses coming against Alabama by 6 points in 2022 and to Mississippi State by 2 points the same season.
- Louisville native and former U of L receiver Jordan Watkins has five catches for 199 yards and two touchdowns for the Rebels. Watkins had a 75-yard TD catch against at Wake Forest.
- Ole Miss linebacker Chris Paul Jr. is the highest graded player at his position by Pro Football Focus — but he is not the son of or any relation to NBA all-star guard Chris Paul. The situation created a buzz when the Rebels played at Wake Forest, which is the alma mater of the basketball player.
The Quote:
Kiffin was blunt in response to skeptics who question what his team has proven against its schedule over four games:
“Statistically, teams we have played have struggled this year. That is why I am not making big statements about where we are ranked or how good we are on offense or defense. I said we have a chance to be really elite and really good, but we are going to have to prove that against bigger and better players.”
The Pick:
Ole Miss 31, Kentucky 17.
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