Ole Miss Rebels vs. Kentucky Wildcats Prediction and Picks - September 6, 2025
College football action within the SEC on Saturday, and we have an Ole Miss vs Kentucky Prediction ready to rock and roll. The Rebels enter this contest at 1-0 and off a 63-7 win over Georgia State. The Wildcats are also at 1-0 after they topped Toledo by a score of 24-16. Continue reading our Ole Miss vs Kentucky prediction.
If you are struggling to pick winners, you've come to the right place. We have the strongest College Football Picks
Sign Up for Winners and Whiners News Alerts, Get Free Picks and Discounts
Subscribe Now
Rebels Trounce The Panthers
Ole Miss enters SEC play ranked No. 20 and riding high after a 63–7 demolition of Georgia State in Week 1. Redshirt sophomore Austin Simmons made his first career start and delivered 341 yards and three touchdowns through the air, showing poise and arm talent despite two early turnovers. Lane Kiffin’s offense racked up 695 total yards, with explosive plays from transfer wideouts Harrison Wallace III (Penn State) and De’Zhaun Stribling (Oklahoma State). The Rebels will lean on tempo and verticality again, but Simmons now faces his first road test in a hostile SEC environment—how he handles early pressure will shape the game script.
The run game looks revitalized. Missouri transfer Kewan Lacy rushed for 108 yards and three scores, while Logan Diggs (Notre Dame) added 91 yards on just seven carries. Ole Miss struggled on the ground last season, but this new tandem gives Kiffin balance and flexibility. Tight ends Dae’Quan Wright and Caleb Odom also flashed in Week 1, combining for 135 yards and two touchdowns. The offensive line is anchored by Jayden Williams at tackle, but the interior remains a question mark with just 18 combined career starts among the three starters. Kentucky’s defensive front could exploit that if Simmons holds the ball too long.
Defensively, Ole Miss was dominant against Georgia State, allowing just 69 passing yards and pressuring the quarterback relentlessly. Zxavian Harris led the way with a sack, an interception, and two QB hurries, while linebackers Suntarine Perkins and TJ Dottery controlled the middle of the field. The secondary is talented but thin, with Sage Ryan (LSU transfer) and Wydett Williams Jr. expected to handle most of the coverage duties. Defensive coordinator Pete Golding will dial up disguised pressure and force Kentucky’s Zach Calzada to beat them over the top. If the Rebels can force early three-and-outs, they’ll control tempo and field position.
Cats Take Down A Solid Toledo Squad
Kentucky opened with a 24–16 win over Toledo, but the performance left fans uneasy. Quarterback Zach Calzada, now on his fourth program, completed just 10 of 23 passes for 85 yards and an interception. Head coach Mark Stoops admitted Calzada was pressing, and the Wildcats will need a more composed effort against an Ole Miss defense that thrives on disruption. The passing game remains a concern—only three wideouts caught passes in Week 1—but tight ends Josh Kattus and Willie Rodriguez offer reliable targets underneath. Kentucky’s offensive identity will lean heavily on the run game and clock control.
That ground game is Kentucky’s strength. Nebraska transfer Dante Dowdell ripped off 129 yards, including a 79-yard touchdown in his debut, while Seth McGowan (New Mexico State) added 78 yards and a score. The offensive line, rebuilt through the portal, held up well against Toledo, with tackles Shiyazh Pete and Alex Wollschlaeger showing promise. If Kentucky can replicate that push against Ole Miss’s aggressive front, they’ll have a chance to shorten the game and keep Simmons off the field. Expect Stoops to lean on misdirection, power sets, and play-action to keep the Rebels guessing.
Defensively, Kentucky showed flashes of its old identity. The Wildcats held Toledo to 59 rushing yards and recorded three sacks, with nose tackle David Gusta (Washington State) anchoring the interior. Edge rusher Mi’Quise Humphrey-Grace and linebacker Sam Greene (USC) add speed to a unit that needs to generate pressure without overcommitting. The secondary is experienced, led by safety Jordan Lovett, and will be tested by Ole Miss’s deep receiving corps. With Stoops’ future under scrutiny and a brutal SEC schedule ahead, this game is more than just a conference opener—it’s a tone-setter for the entire season.
4 Units - Ole Miss -10
Ole Miss -10 is a sharp play in a matchup that tilts heavily toward the Rebels in terms of offensive firepower, tempo, and quarterback efficiency. Austin Simmons looked electric in his debut, throwing for over 340 yards and commanding Lane Kiffin’s system with poise and aggression. Kentucky’s defense may be physical, but it’s not built to handle the kind of vertical stress Ole Miss applies with Harrison Wallace III, De’Zhaun Stribling, and a deep tight end rotation. Add in a revitalized run game led by Kewan Lacy and Logan Diggs, and the Rebels have the balance to control both pace and field position. Simmons may be making his first road start, but the scheme and surrounding talent give him a wide margin for error.
Kentucky, meanwhile, is still searching for rhythm. Zach Calzada struggled in Week 1, completing under 45% of his passes and failing to generate any explosive plays. The Wildcats will try to shorten the game with Dante Dowdell and Seth McGowan on the ground, but Ole Miss’s front seven is fast, disruptive, and built to blow up early-down runs. If Kentucky falls behind early, they don’t have the passing game to chase points. Lane Kiffin hasn’t forgotten last year’s upset loss to the Wildcats, and this sets up as a revenge spot with playoff implications. Expect Ole Miss to push tempo, force turnovers, and cover the number with room to spare.
| # | Handicapper | Profit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Earle Sports Bets | +2,298.00 |
| 2 |  Ross Benjamin | +1,840.00 |
| 3 |  Rob Vincilleti | +1,757.00 |
| 4 |  David Hess | +1,745.00 |
| 5 |  Dan Kaiser | +987.00 |
3 Units - Over 50
The Over 50 is in play here thanks to Ole Miss’s explosive tempo and Kentucky’s underrated ability to grind out points. Lane Kiffin’s offense is built to score fast and often, and with Austin Simmons commanding a deep receiver room and a revitalized run game, the Rebels could flirt with 40 on their own. Kentucky may not match that firepower, but they’ll contribute with chunk runs from Dante Dowdell and short-field opportunities off Ole Miss’s aggressive defensive fronts. Even if the game script leans one-sided, the pace and play volume favor scoring, and both teams have enough red zone efficiency to push this total past the number.
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
Bet $5 & Get $150
