Way-Too-Early Staff Predictions: Ole Miss Rebels vs. Arkansas Razorbacks
OXFORD, Miss. -- OXFORD, Miss. -- The Ole Miss Rebels will have payback on their minds when they face the Arkansas Razorbacks in Week 6. Last season, Arkansas smacked Ole Miss in Fayetteville 42-27 amid the Rebels' late-season collapse. Arkansas is Ole Miss' third SEC opponent of 2023, and if those games go south, this Week 6 matchup could be critical to getting the team back on track.
The Razorbacks are led by Sardis, Miss., native K.J. Jefferson, one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in the country. He missed time last fall due to injury, but when he is at 100 percent, Jefferson is one of the hardest players to stop in college football. Jefferson was named to the 2023 Preseason First-Team All-SEC by Athlon Sports.
The last time Jefferson and the Razorbacks came to Oxford, the Rebels won an electric 52-51 shootout after only seven total points were scored in the first quarter. If this year's matchup between Ole Miss and Arkansas is anything like their meeting in 2021, fans are in for a wild ride.
Arkansas travels to Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on Oct. 7, and the kickoff time has yet to be announced. We have taken a look at the keys to the game for both teams, but how does our staff see the game playing out on the field?
Casey Smith, Staff Writer
Ole Miss ran for 463 yards and two touchdowns on Arkansas last year and still lost by two touchdowns, so what gives? Quarterback KJ Jefferson threw for 168 yards and three touchdowns, while running back Raheim Sanders added a trio of scores on the ground. Jefferson and Sanders are the few contributing returners on the Razorbacks' roster, as the defense will welcome five new transfers — three of which are in the secondary. With the Rebels' weapons at wide receiver, they should try and attack what could be a patchwork Arkansas defensive backfield.
Ole Miss 38, Arkansas 27
Cole Thompson, Staff Writer
Arkansas and Ole Miss know how to keep fans engaged. The Hogs are 2-1 since Sam Pittman and Lane Kiffin took over their respective programs, but games have been intriguing. Does anyone remember 2021? Expect the same in 2023 as both teams on paper seem evenly matched.
Both programs feature 1,000-yard tailbacks that could win SEC Offensive Player of the Year. Both also look like dark horses to win the SEC West due to overall questions. A win for one team likely keeps hope alive for a shot at Atlanta. For now, give me Ole Miss in front of the home crowd.
Ole Miss 30, Arkansas 28
Ben King, Staff Writer
This year's matchup between the Ole Miss Rebels and Arkansas Razorbacks will likely be reminiscent of their shootout from 2021 as both teams are stacked with returning offensive talent. Arkansas quarterback KJ Jefferson and running back Raheim Sanders have a knack for finding the endzone when playing the Rebels. Since 2021, Jefferson and Sanders have scored 12 combined touchdowns versus Ole Miss.
The Rebels return the reigning SEC rushing king in sophomore Quinshon Judkins who could be poised for a field day with Arkansas' defense not looking as strong as its offense entering the 2023 season. The Razorbacks lost leadership in the middle of their defense to the NFL and I believe the Rebels will take full advantage of it. I'll take Ole Miss in what should be another electric matchup between these two rivals.
Ole Miss 42, Arkansas 35
John Macon Gillespie, Publisher
This series will continue to intrigue fans every time these two teams meet on the field. Offensively, both teams may have an advantage in this one, and both have proven running backs and a quarterback in the backfield. With all that in mind, I think home field advantage matters here.
When Ole Miss goes to Arkansas, things tend to get whacky in a bad way. In recent memory (4th & 25 excluded in 2015), Ole Miss has done better against the Hogs at home, and I think that trend continues.
Ole Miss 45, Arkansas 35
You can follow Ben King on Twitter at @BKing_2023.
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