Ole Miss vs. Kentucky: Four Things to Watch; Time, TV schedule for Rebs vs. ‘Cats

OXFORD, Miss. – (Release) Now, it’s for real. Southeastern Conference play begins this weekend at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium as Lane Kiffin and the No. 5 Ole Miss Rebels open their SEC slate at home against Kentucky.

Scroll on for our top five storylines between the Rebels and the Wildcats, as well as other vital info, including where to watch the game.

How to Watch: Ole Miss vs. Kentucky

Date: Saturday, September 28
Time: 11 a.m. CT
Location: Oxford, Mississippi
Site: Vaught-Hemingway Stadium
Tickets: SeatGeek
What to Wear: Stripe the Vaught
TV: ABC
Live Stream: ESPN App/SEC Network+
Radio: Ole Miss Radio Network
Live Audio: OleMissSports.com/watch
Live Stats: Click Here
Digital Program: Click Here

Four Things to Watch

Wily Wildcats

Kentucky nearly pulled off one top-five upset already this year, coming just two points shy of an upset of No. 1 Georgia. In a defensive battle, the Wildcats took a first-quarter lead and didn’t trail into the fourth quarter, when a Branson Robinson touchdown put the Bulldogs ahead 13-9. UK cut the lead to one on a field goal with 6:01 to go and had the final possession but ran out of time in a 13-12 defeat. With that experience in their rearview, do the Cats have what it takes to pull off the upset this time?

Good vs. Good

When Ole Miss has the football, one of the game’s best offenses will take on one of its best defenses. Kentucky ranks among the top teams nationally in every major defensive category: No. 6 in total defense (217.0 YPG), No. 11 in rush defense (74.8 YPG), No. 15 in scoring defense (12.5 PPG) and No. 21 in pass defense (142.3 YPG). The Rebels are similar offensively: No. 1 in total offense (670.8), No. 1 in scoring offense (55.0 PPG), No. 1 in passing offense (422.8 YPG) and No. 12 in rushing offense (248.0 YPG). Which unit will win out?

Rebel Defense vs. the SEC

The Ole Miss defense has been fantastic through four weeks, ranking No. 1 in the nation in scoring defense (5.5 PPG) and rushing defense (34.5 YPG) and No. 12 in total defense (239.0 YPG). How will those numbers hold against an SEC offense? Ole Miss has benefited from having the No. 2 red zone defense in the country, allowing just four scores and one TD on eight attempts. The Rebels have shown that they can bend but not break, will that continue against SEC-level talent?

Darty in the Sip

This will be Ole Miss’ first 11 a.m. kickoff of the season, and thus, the first Day Party in the Sip of the 2024 football season. With SEC play beginning, the Rebels will need a raucous crowd at kickoff to continue their trend of taking control of games early and not letting go. The Rebels have scored on the opening drive of every game this season, including three touchdowns. It took Ole Miss just 1:23 to find the end zone at Wake Forest and 0:31 against Georgia Southern. Rise early, Rebel Nation.

Dart Setting the Pace

No one has kept pace with Jaxson Dart statistically through four games as he has emerged as one of the nation’s top Heisman Trophy favorites. Dart is No. 1 nationally with 388.5 yards per game, about 30 ahead of his nearest competition. His 219.5 passer rating also leads college football, as do his 13.1 yards per attempt, and his 79.8 completion percentage leads all passers with 100-plus attempts. Can he continue the torrid pace against his toughest defensive competition yet?