Another full slate of college football is here, with week three bringing us a variety of big-time matchups. While it’s down the list a bit in terms of attention grabbers, Ole Miss vs Arkansas is one of those important matchups. It’s an SEC game, but it’s also two programs that are both undefeated so far in the young season. For Ole Miss, a lot of people had them being a borderline College Football Playoff team, so the Rebels starting the season 2-0 isn’t much of a surprise.
Things on the other sideline have been more surprising. Arkansas’ two opponents so far this year aren’t of tremendous quality, so the Razorbacks being undefeated right now isn’t a surprise. However, how good they’ve looked through two weeks has shocked some people. Then there’s also the fact that Ole Miss went to Fayetteville last season and put up 63 on the Hogs, winning 63-31. We know Arkansas will be looking to return the favor this time around.
So can Arkansas get revenge for last year’s embarrassment at home? Or do the Rebels avoid the upset and keep their undefeated season alive with another SEC win?
Previewing Ole Miss vs Arkansas
Keys For Arkansas to Pull Off the Upset
For Arkansas, the main focus should start with its defense. Last year in this matchup, the Razorbacks gave up 63 at home. Regardless of how good the offense is, it’s hard to win games if you’re giving up 63. While the Rebel offense hasn’t looked quite as high-powered as we’re used to seeing, they’ve still looked good. So put bluntly, the Hogs’ defense has to be a lot better than we’ve seen over the past few seasons.
On the offensive side, it’s going to start with quarterback Taylen Green. A season ago, Green started the year hot, before fading out a bit as the season continued. That proved to be a big part of the Razorbacks’ struggles in conference play in 2024. Through two games in 2025, he’s been tremendous. He’s passed for 561 yards and 10 touchdowns, with only two interceptions. He’s also added 192 yards on the ground. Green’s play is one of the key reasons Arkansas finds itself at third in the nation so far this season in explosive plays (plays of 20+ yards).
Against an Ole Miss team that’s still in the process of finding its identity on the defensive side, after having to replace a ton of production, it’s going to be vital for Arkansas to be able to take advantage of that and put up plenty of points if they want to be able to pull off the upset on the road.
Ole Miss Looks For 2-0 Start to SEC Play
For the Rebels, the first key is to avoid turning the ball over. So far this year, if they avoid turnovers, they’ve seemingly put up points at will. A big reason for this is that they find themselves second nationally, one spot ahead of Arkansas, in terms of explosive plays. But there’s no denying that quarterback Austin Simmons has been a bit of a turnover machine. Through two games, he’s thrown four interceptions. That has to get better if the Rebels want to continue their undefeated start to the season.
The good sign for the Ole Miss offense, however, is the appearance of a ground game. Last year, the lack of rushing was the biggest complaint with the offense. So far this season, led by Kewan Lacy, the Rebels’ rushing attack has been the brightest spot on the offensive side of the ball.
More big news for the Rebel offense is that Lane Kiffin has said tight end Luke Hasz should be available to make his Ole Miss debut on Saturday. Given the fact that Hasz transferred in from Arkansas during the offseason, it would just add one more wrinkle to this already hostile rivalry.
As for the defense, it’s almost a given that they’re going to give up more points than they’d like. Having replaced over half of their starting 11 from 2024, they’re still in the process of figuring things out on that side of the ball. But if they can keep Green from escaping the pocket and limit the explosive plays, the offense should be able to find a way to outscore Arkansas in this one.
Ole Miss vs Arkansas: Predictions
Last season’s blowout in Fayetteville was an anomaly for this series. These two rivals essentially always play close games that come down to the wire. Don’t expect this one to be any different. We’re looking at two offenses that put up a ton of points, and two defenses that are still trying to find themselves this early in the season. That should be a recipe for plenty of points to be scored.
However, expect it to end up lower scoring than many may believe. Both offenses are explosive, but run the ball well. This should lead to fewer possessions and fewer points.
Ultimately, the Ole Miss defense forces Green and the Razorback offense into a few mistakes in the second half. This gives them the chance to squeak away with a tight win at home in Oxford.
Ole Miss 31, Arkansas 23
Main Image: Jeff Faughender/Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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