Ole Miss in Norman seeking a rebound win in historic first matchup at Oklahoma: Players to Watch

NORMAN, Okla. – No. 8 Ole Miss is in Norman, Oklahoma for the first time in school history to face SEC opponent No. 11 Oklahoma today. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. CT.

Here’s some game info and players to watch for both teams.

2025 Oklahoma Sooners Recap

Oklahoma enters this matchup with the Rebels at 6-1 overall and 2-1 in SEC play. The Sooners rank 11th in the AFCA Coaches ranking and No. 13 in the AP Poll. Defensively, Oklahoma ranks second in the SEC Conference in third-down conversion percentage, averaging a conversion rate of just 25% and ranks first in first-down defense in both the conference and nation, only allowing 82 first downs through seven games. The Sooners have only allowed 132.6 yards per game through the air, ranking No. 4 in the FBS and first in the SEC. Additionally, the program also ranks first in both the SEC and FBS in total defense, averaging 213 yards per game.

Three Players to Watch: Ole Miss

1. The Ole Miss offensive line

The Rebel o-line hasn’t allowed a sack in two of its last three games, but will have their hands full with an elite Oklahoma defense. OU comes into the top-15 matchup ranked No. 1 in the FBS in both sacks and tackles for loss. The Sooners have five players with five or more TFL on the season.

2. Dae’Quan Wright

The senior tight end leads the SEC Conference in yards per catch, averaging 20.7 yards. He also ranks third amongst all tight ends in all of the FBS with 393 yards on the season.

3. Kewan Lacy

Lacy ranks 18th all-time in rushing at Ole Miss with 10 touchdowns on the season. The Missouri transfer ranks second in the SEC in rushing touchdowns and third in rushing yards on the season with 618 yards through seven games.

Three Players to Watch: Oklahoma Sooners

1. John Mateer

The Washington State transfer is averaging 261 yards per game through the air, ranking fourth in the SEC Conference. The quarterback completes 64.9% of his passes and averages 22.17 completions per game, ranking him atop of the conference. Mateer is capable of a big game, and the Rebels’ defense will need to be ready to play this Saturday.

2. Isaiah Sategna III

The Redshirt Junior wide receiver leads the Sooners’ offense in both receptions (5.29) and receiving yards per game (70.4). He is coming off a game against the South Carolina Gamecocks in which he had 7 receptions for 73 yards and a score.

3. Troy Blaylock

The true freshman running back saw a significant workload increase in last Saturday’s matchup, carrying the ball 19 times for 101 yards and a score. He ranks second on the team with four rushing scores on the season, behind Mateer with five. Blaylock will need to be held in check during Saturday’s matchup for the Rebels to come out with a win.

Wideout Standout

During Saturday’s game against No. 5 Georgia, senior wide receiver De’Zhaun Stribling delivered a standout performance. The former Oklahoma State player, who transferred to Ole Miss in January, made an impact with three catches for a game-high 96 yards. One of those receptions was a 75-yard touchdown, the most explosive play of the game. Stribling’s performance could be the momentum he needs for the rest of the season.

Gunslinger

When Eli Manning was under center for the Rebels in 2001, no Ole Miss quarterback had thrown for at least 250 yards in each of their first five starts, until Trinidad Chambliss. Chambliss is also the first Ole Miss quarterback to pass for 300 yards in each of his first three starts since Jordan Ta’amu did it in 2017.

Stout Sooner Defense

Oklahoma’s defense presents a tough challenge for the Rebels’ offense on Saturday. The Sooners rank in the top five nationally in five defensive categories: passing yards allowed, first downs allowed, red zone defense, scoring defense, and sacks. The Sooners have held its opponents to under 10 points in four of its seven games so far this season.

Last of the Century

Both teams have met only once in conference play, which was this past season at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, where Ole Miss won 26-14. Their first-ever meeting was in the 1999 Independence Bowl, with the Rebels narrowly defeating the Sooners 27-25. That game was also the final college football game played in the 20th century.

How to Watch: Ole Miss Rebels vs. Oklahoma Sooners

Date: Saturday, Oct 25, 2025

Time: 11 a.m. CT

Location: Norman, Okla.

Site: Oklahoma Memorial Stadium

Tickets: OleMissTix.com

Gameday Info: OleMissGameday.com

What to Wear: Navy

TV: ABC

Live Stream: ESPN App

Live Stats: Click Here

Radio: Ole Miss Radio Network

Live Audio: OleMissSports.com

Gameday Program: Click Here

(Info courtesy Ole Miss Athletics)