As Week 2 of college football kicks off, all eyes will be on Lexington, where Lane Kiffin and No. 20 Ole Miss seek to settle the score against Mark Stoops and Kentucky. Last season’s shocking upset in Oxford derailed Ole Miss’s hopes for a College Football Playoff berth, and now they’re determined to reclaim their momentum.
Historically, the last 4 matchups between these teams have been nail-biters, often decided in the final moments. However, ESPN’s Rece Davis hinted on his podcast this week that this time around it may unfold differently, as both teams enter with a 1-0 record.
“I think Ole Miss wins this game easily,” Davis said. “Ole Miss has 3 games at home after this — Arkansas, Tulane, and LSU — that we’ll find out a lot more about where they are. I think they’re good. They’re talented. They’re not what they were last year.”
While the Rebels boast talent and potential, both Davis and co-host Pete Thamel feel the Rebels haven’t quite reached last year’s level of play.
This clash promises to showcase two formidable SEC defenses that played strong roles in keeping their respective teams competitive during Week 1. Thamel felt the Wildcats would be able to keep the margin with the projected 10-point spread. (BetMGM has the Rebels as a 9.5-point favorite.)
“I feel like Kentucky will cover in this game. But Zach Calzada did not look good against Toledo. Without him really spinning it around — he was 10-of-23 — I can’t have conviction for Kentucky. They’re almost like a G5 team,” Thamel said. “They’ve got like 50 new players.”
Despite differing opinions on how closely contested the game might be, both Thamel and Davis agreed that Ole Miss should secure revenge as they kick off their SEC slate.
Thamel added cautiously: “I will be clear: I think Ole Miss wins this game but I don’t think this Ole Miss program, talent-wise, 1 to 30 is anywhere near where they were last season, especially personnel-wise on defense. I’m not saying they’re going to go 4-8. But I’m saying they will go from the cusp of the Playoff to like a top-25 team.”
The stage is set for Kiffin and his Rebels as they prepare to take on Kentucky at Kroger Field with kickoff set for 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
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!
