This game has all the makings of a prize fight, but with only one real heavyweight contender entering the ring.
The No. 6 Ole Miss Rebels (9-1, 5-1 SEC) host Florida (3-6, 2-4 SEC) at 6 p.m. CT on ESPN in Oxford. The line for the game has swung from the Rebels -15.5 to now only -11.5. There’s distractions abounding about head coach Lane Kiffin’s future at Ole Miss with a possibility of leaving for Gainesville.
Social media is brimming with Gator fans propping up their not so recent success, Heisman
trophies and larger football stadium while senselessly trashing Ole Miss and Oxford. I don’t know if that is supposed to encourage Kiffin to come to their school, but I’m sure it makes them feel better about themselves.
The only person who really knows where Kiffin will be next season is probably Lane Kiffin. He may love the attention these coaching searches and stories give to him and the university that currently employs him. His agent for sure loves it, because it will most likely end in more money for him and his client no matter if he stays or goes.
There’s been “sources” and “strong indications” in both directions for Kiffin’s future, but for right now, none of that noise matters for 60 minutes of football. Ole Miss sits on program history with a win as it would be three consecutive 10-win seasons for the first time ever. A win sets a new record for most wins in a five season period, and more importantly gets the Rebels one step closer to a College Football Playoff berth.
Florida for sure has the talent and ability to beat Ole Miss tonight, and the Rebels cannot have an off game and coast to victory. The Gators nearly beat Georgia a couple weeks ago, and it defeated Texas earlier in the season. There’s been some injuries for sure, but the team has enough depth to make this game uncomfortable for four quarters if Ole Miss isn’t executing or taking care of the ball.
Last week, Florida had major turnover issues against a Kentucky defense that at times has been pretty good. The Rebels haven’t been able to produce those multiple turnover games much this season, so tonight could be a chance to change that note.
Kewan Lacy and Trinidad Chambliss have to set the tone early in this game by scoring a touchdown on the first drive via the running game. Shove the ball right down the field, cram it through their defensive line and stake a claim that this is going to be a long game for Florida.
The last time Ole Miss beat the Gators in Oxford was 2002. Just how much history will be made tonight is about to be on display.
