This weekend’s college football slate features numerous matchups that have College Football Playoff implications. A few of those have implications for both teams. Alabama vs Oklahoma and Georgia vs Texas are prime examples. However, some of these matchups only have playoff implications for one team. Ole Miss vs Florida is an example of that, as the Rebels control their playoff destiny.
But that isn’t the only storyline colliding between the Gators and Rebels this weekend in Oxford. As we all know, there’s been plenty of talk of the potential that Lane Kiffin leaves Ole Miss to take the Florida head coach opening. Then, there’s the fact that the Gators are the team that all but ended the Rebels’ playoff chances last season, with an upset win in Gainesville. With all the banter back and forth between the two fan bases over the past few weeks on social media, we can expect a hostile environment at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium Saturday night.
When all is said and done, does Ole Miss keep their playoff hopes alive? Or can Florida look to end the Rebels’ playoff hopes for a second straight season?
Previewing Ole Miss vs Florida
A Brief History
Despite all the talk about Florida being the better program, these two schools have a relatively close history. All time, Florida leads the head-to-head 13-12-1. Since the beginning of the 21st century, it sits with the Gators leading 4-3. But it is worth pointing out that Ole Miss comes into this one on a three-game losing streak against Florida. The last Rebel win in the series came in 2008, when they took down fourth-ranked Florida in Gainesville. Following the loss, Tim Tebow gave his well-known “I Promise” speech.
For Tim Tebow’s birthday, look back at his “The Promise” speech.
It will still give you chills. pic.twitter.com/L0ZeWCG8W7
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) August 14, 2019
True to his word, Florida went on to win the national title that year.
Now, with this year’s Gator squad reeling, having already fired their coach, and having this matchup in Oxford, this could be the best opportunity Ole Miss has to end their losing streak to Florida. At least for the near future.
How Can the Gators Pull Off the Upset?
The first question to answer is whether Florida has just quit on the season. Last week, they lost to Kentucky 38-7. This team has too much talent to ever get blown out by the Wildcats. Losses happen. But just getting blasted is unacceptable. There’s also the fact that quarterback DJ Lagway was benched in that loss. While he’s set to start this weekend against the Rebels, the fact that he was benched has to play with his confidence. Coming into the year, he was a Heisman hopeful. Now, he’s simply trying to hang onto his job.
That also ultimately affects the entire offense, which has struggled lately. Against the Kentucky defense, they got nothing going on that side of the ball. And the Ole Miss defense, in most aspects, is a bit better than the Wildcats’ defense. That means that Lagway and the Gators are going to have to figure out something in a hurry if they plan on having success Saturday night.
As for the defense, it’s a similar story. For the season, the Florida defense has largely been decent. Then Kentucky happened. Now they’re taking on a much better offense in the Rebels. They’re going to have to find a way to get back to the way they played early in the season if they plan on stopping an Ole Miss offense that has been successful both through the air and on the ground.
Lastly is injuries. Over the past few weeks, the Gators have been decimated by injuries. Based on their injury report, it doesn’t look like much has changed. That means they’re going to have to dig deep to find the depth they’ll likely need, if they want to have a chance at pulling off the upset this weekend.
The Keys For Ole Miss to Avoid a Disastrous Upset
For the Rebels, it should ultimately be a similar game plan to what they’ve done all season. The defense has been exceptional, apart from two games, a win over Arkansas and the lone loss to Georgia. Now, against a struggling Gator offense, simply forcing the issue and making Florida make plays should be the goal for Pete Golding and his defense. If they can do a decent job of stopping the run and getting some pressure on Lagway, the defense should have plenty of chances to be successful Saturday night.
On the offensive side, it starts with quarterback Trinidad Chambliss taking care of the football. So far this season, he’s done a great job of avoiding turning the ball over. That has to continue. Then it’s a matter of him converting his opportunities down the field. We all know he’s mobile and can escape the pocket. But if there’s been one weakness to his game, it’s some of the intermediate to long passes downfield. He has to do a better job of completing those throws.
The rest simply falls on the offensive line and running back Kewan Lacy. If the Rebels can find success on the ground, and if the offensive line can hold up against a good Florida front seven (when motivated), the Ole Miss offense should have the ability to move the ball and put up points.
Ole Miss vs Florida: Predictions
This one is largely going to come down to which team is more motivated. Clearly, Ole Miss has more to play for. They have the chance to almost lock up a playoff spot. But they are also having to deal with questions and rumors surrounding whether Kiffin is taking another job. All Florida has to play for is a chance to play spoiler and potentially keep the Rebels from the playoff. So far, over the past few weeks, Ole Miss has done a good job of keeping the outside noise from impacting their play on the field. And there’s the fact that the Gators have a slew of injuries on both sides of the ball.
Given all of that, take the Rebels to win. But don’t expect it to be a blowout, as Florida likely gets up for this game and keeps it relatively close late. In the end, though, the injuries play a role, and Ole Miss escapes with a home win, moving one step closer to the College Football Playoff.
Ole Miss 34, Florida 23
How to Watch Ole Miss vs Florida
Date: Saturday, November 15; Time: 6:00 pm ET
Location: Vaught-Hemingway Stadium
TV: ESPN
Main Image: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
