The No. 7 Ole Miss Rebels are riding high, and head coach Lane Kiffin has emerged as one of the most sought-after coaches as the coaching carousel begins to spin in the latter half of the season. The Rebels secured a road victory against the Oklahoma Sooners, positioning themselves for a strong finish if they continue to perform well. Meanwhile, South Carolina is eager to make its mark in the SEC after coming close to an upset against Alabama in Week 9, ultimately falling short with a score of 29-22.
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According to ESPN’s Football Power Index (FPI), Ole Miss is heavily favored with an 81% chance of defeating South Carolina, which stands at just 19%, when they meet in Oxford.
In its latest game, Ole Miss edged out Oklahoma 34-26, improving its overall record to 7-1 and conference record to 4-1. Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss threw for 315 yards on 24 of 44 attempts, contributing one touchdown without any interceptions. He also rushed for 53 yards on 12 carries. Kewan Lacy was instrumental on the ground, carrying the ball 27 times for 78 yards and scoring two touchdowns while adding two receptions for another 17 yards. Freshman Winnie Watkins had a standout performance with four catches totaling 111 yards against the Sooners.
South Carolina faced a tough challenge against Alabama in Week 9 but fell short despite a valiant effort. LaNorris Sellers passed for 222 yards on an 18-of-32 completion rate, registering one touchdown and one interception. He also contributed significantly on the ground with eight carries for 67 yards and one rushing touchdown. Nyck Harbor added another layer of offense with one catch that resulted in a touchdown.
Initially poised for a promising season thanks to Sellers’ dynamic play and a once-formidable defense, South Carolina’s fortunes have taken a downturn as they struggle to maintain momentum. Their defense, which was previously ranked among the top thirty teams nationally in tackles, has seen its effectiveness decline sharply. Given that Ole Miss averages an impressive 37 points per game under Chambliss’s leadership, South Carolina will face significant challenges defending against them—especially away from home at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
Historically, Ole Miss leads the all-time series against South Carolina with ten wins compared to eight losses and has won their last two encounters. The Rebels aim to extend this winning streak when they meet again in Week 10. Kickoff is scheduled for Saturday at 7 p.m. ET from Oxford.
Lee Ann joins the Saturday Down South team, bringing over fifteen years of experience covering the SEC as both a sports journalist and football scout. With her keen eye for talent, she has also flexes her skills as the Director of Recruiting for the Rebel Walk( Ole Miss) Herring, is a staff writer at USA Today Sports Wildcats Wire, where she dives into the thrilling world of Kentucky football and basketball. When fall rolls around, you can catch her on air as an analyst for the Wake up 502 College Football Show on Big X Sports Radio 96.1 FM—because who doesn't love a good game day chat? A proud Brown University alum, Lee Ann balances her time between the sidelines and press box with her passion for coaching her boys' youth lacrosse and savoring a fine glass of bourbon alongside a good cigar. So, whether she's dissecting plays or rallying the next generation of athletes, Lee Ann is your spirited insider ready to tackle all things SEC!
