News Summary
The Ole Miss Rebels have moved up to No. 20 in the AP Poll after a decisive 63-7 win over Georgia State. This marks a significant improvement from their preseason ranking. As they prepare to face the Kentucky Wildcats, both teams boast a 1-0 record. Ole Miss’s quarterback, Austin Simmons, had a standout performance in his debut. This upcoming matchup is notable due to last season’s upset and will influence postseason standings.
Oxford, Mississippi – The Ole Miss Rebels have moved up to No. 20 in the latest AP Poll, improving their ranking by one spot since the preseason. This comes on the heels of a dominant 63-7 victory against Georgia State. In a notable progression, the Rebels have climbed to No. 14 in the Coaches Poll, reflecting significant confidence following their impressive performance.
Ohio State has taken the top position in both the AP and Coaches Polls, receiving 55 out of 66 first-place votes after defeating the previous top-ranked team, Texas, which has now fallen to No. 7. In the AP Poll’s top five, Penn State is ranked No. 2, followed by LSU at No. 3, Georgia at No. 4, and Miami at No. 5. The Southeastern Conference (SEC) continues to be prominently featured, with ten teams appearing in the Top 25.
As the Rebels gear up for their next matchup against the Kentucky Wildcats, scheduled for Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET at Kroger Field, both teams come into the game with a 1-0 record. Kentucky narrowly overcame Toledo with a 24-16 scoreline, while Ole Miss dominated Georgia State. Kentucky has moved up two spots to No. 68 in The Athletic’s FBS rankings, despite not receiving any votes in either AP or Coaches polls given their recent win.
In the upcoming game, Ole Miss’ quarterback Austin Simmons had a standout debut, throwing for 341 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. Conversely, Kentucky’s quarterback Zach Calzada faced challenges, completing only 10 of 23 passes for 85 yards and also contributing an interception. However, Kentucky’s running back Dante Dowdell had a commendable performance, rushing for 129 yards and a touchdown in his inaugural game.
This matchup is particularly significant due to last season’s upset, where Kentucky defeated Ole Miss in Oxford, which had serious implications for the Rebels’ playoff aspirations. The game on Saturday not only serves as a way to settle the score but also as a critical early-season contest with potential implications for postseason positioning.
In the broader landscape of college football, Alabama has experienced the most dramatic drop, plummeting 13 spots to No. 21 following a loss to Florida State, which saw a significant rise to No. 14 after their unranked victory over Alabama. Other SEC teams making an impact in the rankings include South Carolina at No. 10, and Florida leapfrogging to No. 13. Teams ranked from No. 18 to No. 22 include Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Ole Miss, and Tennessee.
The anticipation builds as teams are expected to improve based on their performances from the previous week. Currently, ESPN’s Football Power Index gives Ole Miss an 83.6% chance to win against Kentucky, while the Wildcats are given a 16.4% chance of victory. The upcoming contest is a critical fixture in the early season, with both teams looking to solidify their standing on the national stage.
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Additional Resources
- 247Sports: Keys for Ole Miss vs. Kentucky
- Wikipedia: Ole Miss
- Saturday Down South: ESPN’s FPI Prediction
- Google Search: Ole Miss Kentucky football
- Kentucky.com: Mark Story Column
- Google Scholar: Ole Miss Kentucky
- Red Cup Rebellion: Opening Odds for Ole Miss
- Encyclopedia Britannica: College Football
- Sports Illustrated: ESPN Winner Picks
- Google News: Kentucky football
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