The Ole Miss Rebels, fresh off a dominant win in their SEC opener, play their first game of the season in Oxford on Saturday when they host the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. ET on the SEC Network and WatchESPN.
How to watch UL-Lafayette vs. Ole Miss: Game guide, TV/streaming, odds
The Rebels are chasing a division crown and playoff bid. Here’s how to watch that quest continue Saturday.
After an error-filled performance against Boise State in the Rebels' opener, quarterback Bo Wallace re-established the passing game with a 320-yard performance last week against Vanderbilt. But while Wallace has racked up points, it's been Ole Miss' defense that has been the story. That group is led by defensive end Robert Nkemdiche and his brother, linebacker Denzel Nkemdiche.
Louisiana-Lafayette is seeking a fourth consecutive nine-win season, a quest that became more difficult with a 48-20 loss to Louisiana Tech last week. Ragin’ Cajuns head coach Mark Hudspeth has been rumored as a contender for the open position at SMU and could use a signature victory like this as a springboard to a bigger program. The Mississippi native and Delta State alum has also been in the discussion for open positions in Mississippi.
How to witness
TV: 4 p.m. ET, SEC Network
Online streaming: WatchESPN
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The numbers
Rankings and records: Ole Miss has climbed to No. 14 in the AP Top 25 and No. 15 in the USA Today Coaches Poll after last week’s demolition of Vanderbilt. Louisiana-Lafayette is unranked.
Vegas: Ole Miss opened as a 26-point favorite and is currently a 27.5-point favorite over the Ragin’ Cajuns, with the over/under set at 58.5.
Weather forecast: Conditions should be ideal, with temperatures in the mid-70s and no chance of rain.
Two things at stake
Ole Miss will be playing in front of its home fans for the first time this season and looking for its third consecutive victory in a home opener. The Rebels can also continue their ascent up the polls with a win and some slip-ups in the top 15.
As for Lousiana-Lafayette, the Ragin’ Cajuns will be attempting to score their first win over an SEC opponent in program history (Louisiana-Lafayette defeated the then-Big XII member Texas A&M Aggies in 1996).
One big matchup
Terrance Broadway vs. the Ole Miss defense: Broadway, the exquisitely named third-year starting quarterback at Louisiana-Lafayette, struggled in a loss to Louisiana Tech last week. The usually accurate Broadway has seen his per-attempt average fall by nearly 3 yards per pass since last season, and three interceptions in two games against lackluster opposition does not instill confidence.
Broadway has faced difficult opposition before — he led the Ragin’ Cajuns against Kansas State in 2013, and took ULL to a near-upset of Florida in 2012 — but he likely hasn’t faced a defense as formidable and dangerous as Ole Miss. The Rebels forced four interceptions and recorded three sacks against Boise State, then held Vanderbilt to just 167 total yards last week.
Further reading
Head over to Red Cup Rebellion for your Ole Miss fix. Underdog Dynasty covers UL-Lafayette and the other football mid-majors.
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