No. 18 Ole Miss’ aspirations for the College Football Playoff hinge on securing a win against Oklahoma, a matchup that many believe should be straightforward. The Rebels, however, have stumbled previously as heavy favorites, with a notable loss to Kentucky while favored by 15 points at home.
Oklahoma, on the other hand, is facing turmoil with ongoing uncertainty at the quarterback position and significant changes within the team. Jackson Arnold returns as QB1, yet the team’s wide receiver corps remains severely depleted due to injuries, raising doubts about how effective the quarterback will be. The ideal game plan for Ole Miss is to jump ahead early and force the Sooners to play catch-up, something they have struggled with following back-to-back defeats to Texas and South Carolina. Another loss for Oklahoma would further dampen their disappointing entry into the SEC, but if the game remains close, Ole Miss must demonstrate that their defense can deliver key stops in critical moments. Their struggle to do so has left their postseason aspirations on thin ice, particularly with a matchup against Georgia looming next month.
The game between Oklahoma and Ole Miss will take place on Saturday, October 26, at 12 p.m. ET at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Mississippi. Fans can watch the game on ESPN or via a live stream on fubo.
In a development for Oklahoma, tight ends coach Joe Jon Finley has stepped in as the new offensive coordinator following the dismissal of Seth Littrell, who oversaw an offense that struggled consistently. Questions remain regarding the factors contributing to the offense’s disarray, given the injuries among the wide receivers and a disjointed offensive line. Finley’s appointment may evoke memories of coach Brent Venables hoping for a turnaround similar to that seen when Bob Stoops replaced Josh Heupel with Lincoln Riley.
For Arnold’s return, there is a possibility he might regain one of his top-five wide receivers, as Deion Burks was listed as questionable after being sidelined since mid-September due to injury. Arnold will benefit from any available support to keep pace with Ole Miss’ high-scoring offense.
On the Ole Miss side, the potential return of edge rusher Princely Umanmielen could significantly bolster the team, as he has missed the last two games due to injury. Ole Miss currently ranks second in the nation for tackles for loss and seventh in sacks.
Expectations for the matchup suggest a high-scoring affair due to Ole Miss’ potent offense. However, Oklahoma’s defense is among the top performers in the SEC, which could result in them limiting scoring opportunities in the red zone. This dynamic might allow for a game total that trends towards the under, with the current pick set at under 49.
This weekend’s action is highlighted as College Football’s Week 9 unfolds, with predictions hinting at several potential upsets across the board.