OXFORD — Recent history indicates Ole Miss football’s Week 2 game against Kentucky will be entertaining.
The No. 14 Rebels (1-0) play at Kentucky (1-0) on Sept. 6 (2:30 p.m., ABC).
The past four games between Ole Miss and Kentucky have been decided by three points or less. Ole Miss has won three of those games but lost the most recent one at home in 2024. The Rebels missed a 48-yard field goal attempt in the final minute that would have tied the score, and the Wildcats won 20-17.
Ole Miss beat Georgia State 63-7 in Week 1, while coach Mark Stoops’ Kentucky team beat Toledo 24-16.
“This is an exciting game to have up front like this, early on,” Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin said. “We’re going to have to prepare really well. This is an extremely well-coached team … these guys always play really tough, really physical against us.”
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Ole Miss vs. Kentucky prediction
Look for Kentucky to attempt to get transfer quarterback Zach Calzada in more of a groove than he found in Week 1. It’s a necessity.
Calzada threw for 83 yards on 10-for-23 passing in the opener. He was making his debut for the Wildcats after spending the past two seasons lighting up the statistics sheet at Incarnate Word, an FCS program.
Calzada passed for 6,144 yards and 53 touchdowns in his two seasons at IUW. He is used to the SEC, having played at Texas A&M and Auburn, but will need to play better than he did in Week 1 to take the pressure off the Wildcats’ rushing game.
Ole Miss vs. Kentucky scouting report
Why Ole Miss has an advantage: The Rebels certainly looked better than the Wildcats in Week 1.
Ole Miss’ game was over by halftime. Kentucky was outgained 329-305 in yardage and needed a late 79-yard touchdown run from running back Dante Dowdell to put the game away.
Now that redshirt freshman quarterback Austin Simmons has his first start under his belt, he should be more comfortable in Week 2. Even if Simmons struggles in his first road start, the emergence of running back Kewan Lacy bodes well for the Rebels. Lacy, a Missouri transfer, rushed for 108 yards and three touchdowns in his debut. He seems more than capable of carrying the load if Simmons struggles.
Why Kentucky has an advantage: The week this game is being played could favor the Wildcats.
Although Ole Miss dominated Georgia State in Week 1, Kiffin said his offensive line was inconsistent. Now Ole Miss goes from facing a Sun Belt team to an SEC team. Ole Miss lost its SEC opener to Kentucky in 2024, and that was in Week 5. Kiffin said simulating play at the line of scrimmage is the hardest part about preparing for SEC play.
“We try to do a lot, obviously, against ourselves,” Kiffin said. “Look back to last year, trying to do more this year because of that jump from non-conference to SEC play and us not playing well in the first time out last year.”
Kentucky held Toledo to 59 rushing yards on 29 carries while also recording three sacks.
Ole Miss vs. Kentucky injury updates
The injury report for the game was released Sept. 3. The Rebels have 10 players on the report, including tight end Luke Hasz, who is out. Kentucky has eight players listed. See the full report here.
The Rebels may get transfer cornerback Jaylon Braxton back for the game. He did not play in the opener for medical reasons, but Kiffin said he was hopeful Braxton could make his debut in Week 2. Braxton is questionable.
Ole Miss vs. Kentucky score prediction
Ole Miss 32, Kentucky 14: Ole Miss’ 2024 season was derailed with an underwhelming performance against the Wildcats. Don’t expect it to happen again.
Sam Hutchens covers Ole Miss for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at Shutchens@gannett.com or reach him on X at @Sam_Hutchens_
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Ole Miss vs. Kentucky predictions: Why Rebels will roll in Week 2
