No. 17 Ole Miss will try to win its third straight game against Arkansas on Saturday at 6 p.m. Here are three keys to a Rebels win over the Razorbacks.
Protect the quarterback
Ole Miss redshirt sophomore Austin Simmons has had his ups and downs through two career starts, throwing for 576 yards with three touchdowns, four interceptions and one touchdown rushing. Simmons has made some impressive throws – particularly to senior Harrison Wallace III – but one of the constants has been suspect protection by his offensive line. Per Pro Football Focus, the Rebels have a 63.9 pass-blocking grade. Simmons has completed just 3 of 8 passes while pressured and has thrown two interceptions in such situations, per PFF.
Better teams on the schedule will be able to make Ole Miss pay for turnovers, including Arkansas. Simmons needs to have the best opportunity to make plays with his arm.
Don’t let Taylen Green beat you
This one is easier said than done. Arkansas quarterback Taylen Green has been among the nation’s best players through two games; he’s tied for the national lead with 10 touchdown passes and is third in total offense at 376.5 yards per game. Green was injured in last year’s blowout win by Ole Miss and attempted just 14 passes. Green has more than 7,500 career passing yards and more than 1,800 rushing yards and is currently the No. 4-rated quarterback by PFF. If Arkansas is going to put up numbers offensively, it can’t be because the Rebels let Green break contain and pick up yards with his legs. Make the Razorbacks earn every yard.
Roll with the chaotic punches
Games between Ole Miss and Arkansas have tended to be … strange. A decade ago the Razorbacks converted on fourth-and-25 in overtime. In 2021 the teams combined to score 41 points in the fourth quarter, and Arkansas quarterback KJ Jefferson’s incomplete two-point conversion throw with no time left on the clock gave the Rebels a 52-51 victory. Arkansas blew the Rebels out in 2022, and Ole Miss returned the favor in 2024. Odds are that this game is going to have some type of plot twist, whether it be early or late in the game. Ole Miss needs to keep its composure and stick to the plan. A couple of negative plays can’t change the entire complexion of the game.
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