The first four games of the season remind me of a Harlem Globetrotters game. Lots of excitement, Slam dunks, and fireworks, but not a lot of competition. Now, we finally move into SEC play and it’s the Kentucky Wildcats who come to town. Respectfully, this comes as a great relief in comparison to our typical SEC opener, Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide. In addition, the Cats have been good to us in recently. Although our matchups have come down to the wire, we were able claim victory through the famous DK Metcalf catch in 2017, the Elijah Moore overtime touchdown in 2020, and of course the Jared Ivey strip sack to close out the game in 2022. Fun fact, the last time the Cats beat the Rebels at home, they had to travel to Jackson, Mississippi to do it (1964). So, it’s worth asking the question, what can we expect this year? Another game down to the wire, or a continuation of the Mississippi Globetrotters?
Kentucky has been a tricky team to figure out so far. They get humiliated at home by South Carolina in Week 2, only to nearly upset Georgia seven days later. They took care of Southern Miss and Ohio, and that brings us here. The Wildcats come in averaging 152 passing yards per game (221st ) and 165 rushing yards per game (105th ). Now, in search of an offensive identity, they’re going up against one of the most explosive offenses in the country. To be fair, the Wildcats have fared well on the defensive side of the ball. Lane Kiffin praised the physicality and length of this defense in his press conference and wasn’t surprised they were able to give Georgia trouble.
The matchup I’m most excited to watch is our O-line vs. their D-line. Can we create running lanes and keep Jaxson Dart upright? While this group is far from a finished product, so far they’ve been just ok. I think that has less to do with personnel, and more to do with cohesion and injuries. Building a great offensive line is a lot like kissing your middle-school girlfriend. It's going to feel awkward at first, you're going to make mistakes, and it simply takes time to build that necessary chemistry. Nonetheless, there’s a big dance on Saturday at 11AM, and we better be ready.
SCORE PREDICTION:
The formula for Kentucky, as I see it, would be to shut our run game down and force us to be one dimensional. They’ll hope to force 3rd and longs and try and get us out of rhythm. The problem however, is even if they’re able to do all that, they’d still need to take advantage offensively against a defense that just recently gave up its first touchdown. I’m not saying it’s impossible, but it would be an impressive time for the Wildcats to figure out their offensive woes.
Ideally, and what I believe is more likely, we’re able to play with a lead and the Cats simply can’t keep up. I think this Rebel offense is too much for Kentucky, and eventually, if not immediately, we’re going to run away with it.
Kentucky 13
Ole Miss 38
PICK 5: (9-6) 60%
Kentucky @ Ole Miss -15.5
I’m not stopping until proven wrong and may not stop after that. Even if this Kentucky defense does slow us down, it won’t shut us down. Good luck keeping up for 4 quarters! Hotty Toddy!
Oklahoma St. @ Kansas St -5.5
Going with the home team to get the job done in this one. I think Kansas St. gets off the mat after their loss last weekend and beats a slightly overrated Cowboy team at home.
Louisville +7 @ Notre Dame
I feel like this is a popular pick, which scares me, but I don’t see it with Notre Dame. Riley Leonard hasn’t been good, and Tyler Shough has been. I think I get the better head coach and quarterback with Louisville AND a touchdown. I like Louisville to win the game outright, but I’ll take the points.
Arkansas @ Texas A&M -5.5
Reminder that this game is in Jerry World. I think Marcell Reed, former Ole Miss commit, has sparked some life into this team. They played a messy game last week, but I think they clean it up and cover against the Hogs.
Oklahoma @ Auburn PK
Auburn did lose to Arkansas last weekend, but according to Hugh Freeze, if they played 9 more times, they would’ve won 9! I guess Vegas must’ve forgotten to factor that in. In all seriousness, IF Auburn can cut down on some of these stupid turnovers, I think they win this game at home. Big if, but I’ll take the booger eaters.
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