Now that the Oklahoma Sooners are competitive again, it feels like every single week from here on out is set to be their biggest game of the year. This game against the Ole Miss Rebels, who just lost a close one to the Georgia Bulldogs, is pretty important for both teams. Ole Miss wants to bounce back as it still has CFP aspirations, while Oklahoma just had its best win of the year over South Carolina on the road.

One team has an offensive identity, one team has a defensive identity, and both teams have had terrible moments on the opposite side of the ball. So, who comes out in this game, one that can really go either way?

Oklahoma Sooners vs. Ole Miss Rebels final score predictions

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Ole Miss 28, Oklahoma 24

When Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer has played well, the Sooners have been a very difficult team to deal with. The issue is that he hasn’t been sharp since he returned from injury against the Texas Longhorns. If he is able to play well, the Oklahoma defense is an elite group that can stifle the Ole Miss offense enough to win. As of now, I just trust Trinidad Chambliss to make some big plays compared to Mateer. The Rebel defense isn’t a great group, but it’ll be good enough in this matchup. Whichever team is able to capitalize on the other’s offensive mistake feels like the difference, and I think Lane Kiffin’s group does that on Saturday. – Ryan Roberts, A to Z Sports Notre Dame

Ole Miss 27, Oklahoma 24

Lane Kiffin and the Ole Miss offense rank in the top 15 in almost every single meaningful statistical category, and they just scored five touchdowns in a row to open the Georgia game last week. Oklahoma’s number one defense is going to have its hands full this week. The Rebels’ defense has struggled at times this season, but mostly in stopping the run, where the Oklahoma Sooners have been absolutely terrible this year (73rd in rush success rate, 123rd in yards per carry). In short, Ole Miss has a couple of small edges against certain weaknesses of the Sooners overall. This game should be close, but the wrong team is favored. Ole Miss wins by a field goal. – Travis May, College Football Managing Editor/ A to Z Sports Ole Miss

Oklahoma 24, Ole Miss 14

This matchup did not feel as important for Brent Venables heading into the season, but after the Sooners’ disastrous loss to Texas a couple of weeks ago, it suddenly feels like the most important home game of the year for Brent Venables and Oklahoma. A win here would be monumental for keeping Oklahoma’s Playoff hopes alive and would help right the ship after they were knocked completely off course by Texas. Oklahoma’s elite defense is going to keep them in every game this year, and once again, it will all be up to the offense. Fortunately, the Sooners have plenty of mismatch opportunities to win this one, thanks to the Rebels’ owning one of the worst run defenses in the country. Run the ball, play elite defense, and win. Gimme the Sooners 24-14. – A.J. Schulte, A to Z Sports Oklahoma

Oklahoma 21, Ole Miss 20

Just about every single game the Ole Miss Rebels have played has been a one-score game. Yes, even their two games against inferior schools like the Arkansas Razorbacks, who have just three wins right now, and the Washington State Cougars, both of which they should have lost near the end of the game. Their defense is pretty terrible, while their offense is elite. With that being said, Oklahoma’s offense is getting hot at the right time, and we all know they have the best defense in the league. This one only makes sense to me with Ole Miss on the road in a hostile environment. – Justin Churchill, College Football Assistant Editor/ A to Z Sports Oklahoma

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Travis May