Kentucky vs. Ole Miss: National Media Predictions, Analysis and Hot Takes

As kickoff draws near in Oxford, Kentucky Sports Radio has scoured the internet to preview Kentucky vs. Ole Miss with predictions and hot takes from every corner of college football.

College GameDay Podcast

This year College GameDay is getting in on the podcasting game with Rece Davis and Pete Thamel (yuck).

“I think this game we’ll probably learn the most about two teams. I still think there’s a little aura of mystery around both of those teams,” said Thamel.

Each prognosticator wants to see more from Rich Scangarello’s offense, even though Rece struggle to correctly pronounce the UK offensive coordinator’s name. Davis believes it’s all in Will Levis‘ hot hands.

“Scouts see a Josh Allen and he’s going to have to have a Josh Allen-like performance I think for Kentucky to win at the level they’d like to win the rest of the year, given their offensive problems.”

Barrett Sallee

“The Rebels have settled on Jaxson Dart as their No. 1 quarterback, and he will provide a nice complement through the air and on the ground to a rushing attack that is second-to-none in the conference (280.75 YPG),” said the CBS Sports analyst. “That will wear down a Kentucky defense that isn’t as deep or consistent as it has been in previous years. The Rebels defense, which is third in the SEC in tackles for loss per game (7.0), will keep Levis in third-and-long situations — leading to an Ole Miss cover. 

Prediction: Ole Miss (-6.5)

Tom Fornelli

I tend to prefer this CBS Sports analyst over the previous one, but Fornelli didn’t have to drag the Cats like this.

“I don’t trust either of these teams very much. Kentucky might be a top-10 team in the AP Poll, but I fear for the sport if it’s one of the 10 best teams in the country right now,” Fornelli wrote. He also said Kentucky’s offense struggles to create explosive plays, despite being ranked second nationally in pass plays of 40+, 50+ and 60+ yards. I’ll happily #FadeTheProcess

Prediction: Ole Miss 27, Kentucky 17 | Under 54

ESPN

The computers aren’t big fans of Kentucky, even though the Wildcats are not ranked much differently than the Rebels. Let Bill Connelly explain:

While Texas A&M has made constant headlines with its brilliant recruiting and its refusal to ever field a consistent quarterback, and Tennessee is just loud in general, the two most consistently strong teams in the SEC over the last year-plus — outside of Alabama and Georgia, of course — have been based in Lexington and Oxford.

Kentucky has won 16 of its last 19, Ole Miss 18 of its last 22. The Wildcats and Rebels are seventh and 14th, respectively, in the AP poll, eighth and 11th in the coaches poll and 16th and sixth in SP+. (That’s an average ranking of 10.3 for each team.) If you’re rooting for a repeat of these teams’ incredible 2020 matchup, the matchups seem even enough to provide hope.

Both Lane Kiffin’s Rebels and Mark Stoops’ Wildcats have been mostly well-rounded in 2022. Ole Miss is efficient and explosive on offense, good at big-play prevention and efficient against the pass; the Rebels’ only real weakness has been its run defense. Kentucky? Efficient and well-rounded on defense, with a passing game even better than expected thanks to quarterback Will Levis and the breakout receiver trio of slots Tayvion Robinson and Barion Brown and wideout Dane Key. The Wildcats’ lone weakness: run offense.

ESPN+

SP+ Prediction: Ole Miss by 6.6 | FPI Prediction: Ole Miss by 11.1

CFB Graphs

This advanced stats analysis calls for a low-scoring, 3-point Ole Miss win.

College Football News

“Both teams will try to control the tempo, and both teams will do what they do on offense, but … The Ole Miss defense – improved as it might be – won’t come through late. The UK backfield will pull this out.”

Prediction: Kentucky 30, Ole Miss 26

The Athletic

Four out of five experts agree: You gotta take the Cats and the points. (Disclosure, these are ATS picks at UK +6.5. DraftKings had UK at +7 with a +210 money-line Friday morning.)

Bleacher Report

Bleacher Report is not buying the hype behind the Kentucky offense. Instead, they’re trusting in the Ole Miss running game to get the job done at home.

Prediction: Ole Miss 27, Kentucky 23

Pro Football Focus

“Kentucky will welcome back one of the best running backs in the country on Saturday. Running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. is set to make his season debut after being suspended for four games. 

“Since 2020, Rodriguez’s 92.3 grade ranks second-highest among active FBS running backs. He’s been incredibly efficient with the ball in his hands in that span. Among Power Five backs, he has the third-highest first down/touchdown rate and the fourth-lowest rate of carries that resulted in no gain or a tackle for loss. 

“His return is a much-needed one, too. Kentucky’s 65.5 rushing grade this season is the lowest in the Power Five.”

Despite all of those nice things to say about UK, PFF has more belief in the Old Miss secondary.

“The Ole Miss secondary will limit Kentucky quarterback Will Levis and company in a statement win for the Rebels.

Prediction: Ole Miss 30, Kentucky 24