A Mid-South regional battle takes on a little extra importance this season, as 13th-ranked Ole Miss (5-1, 2-1 in SEC play) takes on their neighbors to the north, the undefeated Memphis Tigers (5-0, 2-0 in the AAC).
How to watch Ole Miss vs. Memphis on TV or online, plus 3 things to know
The Rebels head an hour or so north to take on local rival Memphis.
The Rebels have dominated the series historically in terms of the wins, and won six in a row, but Memphis has found a way to be pesky in the 21st century, notching a pair of wins in 2003-04, and multiple one-score games in the Ed Orgeron and Houston Nutt years. Even last year’s game, a 24-3 win for the Rebels, was close given that Ole Miss finished fifth in F/+.
Ole Miss was able to get over their crushing defeat in the Swamp with a cathartic 52-3 win at home over New Mexico State. Quarterback Chad Kelly completed 24 passes for 384 yards and three touchdowns. Laquon Treadwell caught two of the scores among his eight catches for 136 yards, including this:
The Rebels finished with a whopping 665 yards of total offense.
Memphis, though unranked, is undefeated and averaging 47 points a game (fourth in the country) and 6.85 yards per play (13th) under fourth-year head coach Justin Fuente and junior quarterback Paxton Lynch, who is completing 70 percent of his passes, averaging 300 yards per game and has 10 touchdowns this season against zero picks.
How to watch, stream and listen
TV: Sat., noon ET, ABC/ESPN2
Online streaming: WatchESPN Link
Spread: Ole Miss is favored by 10.5 points.
Make friends: Red Cup Rebellion has all the chatter on the game for Ole Miss fans, while Memphis fans can check out Underdog Dynasty.
Three big things to know
The Tigers have been one of the best stories of the season's first half. They've won 12 straight dating back to 2014, and could be a legit threat to make a New Year's Day bowl this season out of the AAC. Fuente is one of the game's rising star coaches, and the 6-7 Lynch ranks third in the nation in passing efficiency. After Will Grier's success two weeks ago, the Ole Miss secondary better be ready.
2. Let down spot
Ole Miss seemed to have its get-right game last week, but Hugh Freeze probably thought his team had gotten through the let down when they played Vanderbilt in between Bama and Florida. Ole Miss welcomes Texas A&M to Oxford next week and they’ll get star offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil back by then, as well. The Rebels could be primed for a let-down spot here, and Memphis is just good enough to take advantage.
3. Swag-out
Of course Lynch is far from the only quarterback in this game. Ole Miss’ Kelly is averaging 300 plus a game himself, and Memphis’ defense is not good, allowing 300-plus on their own and 7.7 yards per completion. Kelly to Treadwell could light up the Liberty Bowl.
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