Long time Ole Miss fans have to know this is one of those kind of games that has haunted and plagued the Rebel football program in the past.
It’s not because it’s against South Carolina (3-5, 1-5 SEC) or
any kind of rivalry with the Gamecocks that dates back decades. The history on this series is much shorter and is less painful than most others despite a Thursday night debacle more than fifteen years ago in Columbia.
This is a game that on paper Ole Miss (7-1, 4-1 SEC) should win going away. Vegas oddsmakers have Lane Kiffin and Co. as a two score favorite, and the team is on the doorstep of some very huge things happening. The Gamecocks meanwhile are trying to put anything together to salvage its season, and thus it makes this game potentially dangerous.
Yesterday on the Paul Finebaum Show, the enormous eared broadcaster said he would be picking Ole Miss to win despite this being the type of game that usually gives the Rebels problems and heart ache. I know exactly what he meant, but have the Rebels not done enough this season to put that idea to bed?
A 6 p.m. CT kickoff was a gift from the SEC and TV gods unless you have YouTubeTV and you’re scrambling to figure out how you will watch the game set to be broadcast on ESPN. An early kick the day after Halloween would have meant hungover students devoid of energy and possibly a much more tepid crowd overall, but a late kick with the time change lingering means there is no excuse not to be in the Vaught for the entire game screaming your damn head off for four hours.
The Grove will have begun its transformation into fall splendor. Game time temperatures will be in the mid 50’s, so a bourbon heavy tent scene is undoubtedly going to lead to some added and needed crowd noise. “Be responsible” and “mix in a bottled water” every now and again you guys but also maybe don’t.
Saturday is going to be a tale told by how the Ole Miss defense continues to show up or not. The Rebels have to have an airtight plan for LaNorris Sellers, or I fear this game could be very reminiscent of the Arkansas game. Too close for comfort and without a timely turnover could have been a disaster.
There is little to no concern about how the Ole Miss offense will perform as it has week in and week out found new ways to put points on the board. It really is all about how the Rebel defense creates chaos and turnovers or a lack thereof. When the sacks, negative plays and turnovers are flowing, this Ole Miss team in Oxford is insanely hard to beat.
How to Watch: Ole Miss vs. South Carolina
Date: Saturday, November 1, 2025
Time: 6:00 p.m. CT
Location: Oxford, Mississippi
Site: Vaught-Hemingway Stadium
TV: ESPN
Live Stream: ESPN App
