The definition of a letdown game. After an emotional victory, the Rebels are tasked with traveling to The Swamp to take on a Florida team that looks to be much improved under their new coach John Sumrall. Let’s not forget that a 9-1 Rebel squad hosted a 3-6 Gator team last season and only escaped 24-20. Then the last trip to the Swamp ended the playoff hopes for the Jaxson Dart-led 2024 squad.
This isn’t going to be a case of a team looking ahead. Ole Miss has a bye week and then Vanderbilt. This comes down to the ability of the players to be as motivated to win this game as they were the week before. It may also depend on the health of Kewan Lacy, but when Trinidad Chambliss is on your roster, you always have a chance regardless of circumstances.
I fully believe in the leadership and messaging of Ole Miss head coach Pete Golding. While the losing coach from their previous contest continues to whine and make excuses, Golding immediately got to work focusing on the next game. It wasn’t their Super Bowl last week and Golding acknowledged that a win in September doesn’t mean all that much in the grand scheme. (I mean what does Kiffin know about playing in a Super Bowl? He’s never coached a playoff game at any level as a head coach).
The Gators are super talented at the skill position with guys like Jadan Baugh at running back and Eric Singleton, Dallas Wilson, and Vernell Brown III. Their quarterback may be familiar with the system as he followed his OC from Georgia Tech, but Aaron Philo is tiers below Chambliss. The Rebels will have to limit the big runs from Baugh as Sumrall will likely attempt to run clock and limit the amount of drives Trinidad gets to have.
Finally, the biggest weakness for the Gators has to stop the Rebel’s greatest strength. Florida has played FAU, Campbell and Auburn. Two weak programs and a running quarterback, yet they have allowed over 10 yards per completion and 326 yards per game. That is around 50 less than Ole Miss who has played two teams averaging 500+ yards per game. Ole Miss has the pass offense in the SEC while Florida has the third worst pass defense in the conference.
How to Watch: Ole Miss vs. Florida
Date: Saturday, September 26
Time: 2:30 p.m. CT
Location: Gainesville, Florida
Site: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
TV: ABC
Live Stream: ESPN App
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