Ole Miss is still deep in the mix for the SEC title, and maybe more, but it can’t slip the rest of the way.
It lost two of its last four games as it alternates wins and losses, and now it’s coming off a 26-14 win over Oklahoma going into the key stretch. Two of the next three games are against Georgia and at Florida before closing against Mississippi State.
Arkansas was fantastic last week against a miserable Mississippi State team. The Hogs have also alternated wins with losses over the last four games, but it’s 5-3.
It’ll go bowling with an almost sure-thing win over Louisiana Tech coming up, and now is the chance to also stay in the SEC title chase. Texas and at Missouri are still on the slate.
Oct 26, 2024; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels defensive linemen Jared Ivey (15) reacts during the second half against the Oklahoma Sooners at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
© Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
Ole Miss vs Arkansas Preview
Ole Miss vs Arkansas How to Watch
Date: Saturday, November 2, 2024
Game Time: 12:00 pm ET
Venue: Razorback Stadium, Fayetteville, AR
How to Watch: ESPN
Arkansas (5-3), Ole Miss (6-2)
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Why Ole Miss Will Win
The offense might not be exploding like everyone expects out of the Rebels - they have yet to hit 28 points in SEC play - but the passing game remains effective.
Arkansas gave up over 300 passing yards to Mississippi State last week and allowed 235 yards or more in five of the seven games. Jaxson Dart and the Rebel passing attack should hit that with ease.
But it’s the defense that’s doing the better job lately with the No. 1 run defense in the country. Ole Miss has get to allow more than 151 rushing yards, allowed fewer than 100 in six games, and no one in America comes up with more tackles for loss. But …
Why Arkansas Will Win
Arkansas isn’t just about the running game.
The offense is second in the SEC in total yards behind Ole Miss, but that’s a bit off. Again, the Rebel offense went off early in the season and slowed down once the tough part of the schedule - the SEC slate - kicked in.
Outside of the stalled day against LSU the attack is balanced, explosive, and it’s solid at keeping the chains moving. No, the pass protection won’t be great against the Ole Miss pass rush, but this is where the running game has to bash away.
The Hogs are 5-1 when running 33 times or more - the lone loss in overtime to Oklahoma State back when the Cowboys were healthy - and 0-2 when it doesn’t. Teams have run 37 times or more on Ole Miss in five of the last six games.
Ole Miss vs Arkansas: Who Will Win
Can the Ole Miss offense perk up a little bit more?
It’ll be fine, but it’ll have a hard time putting the game away. The defense, though, will save the day with the strong pass rush locking down and getting off the field in the second half.
Ole Miss doesn’t lose the turnover margin - it happened once in the loss to Kentucky. Arkansas was -3 in two of the last four games.
Ole Miss vs Arkansas Prediction, Betting Lines
Ole Miss 27, Arkansas 23
Line: Ole Miss -7, o/u: 53.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2
Ole Miss vs Arkansas Must See Rating: 4
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Kentucky at Tennessee | Pitt at SMU
