Ole Miss vs. Florida Final Score Predictions: Experts weigh in on Jon Sumrall’s Gators being surprising favorites over the Rebels
The most intriguing game on the Week 4 slate is taking place in The Swamp, as the Florida Gators host the Ole Miss Rebels.
The most intriguing game of the entgire weekend is in The Swamp, as the Florida Gators take on the Ole Miss Rebels.
Each team is coming off of a win in SEC play, with the Gators beating the Auburn Tigers 44-39, and the Rebels beating former head coach Lane Kiffin’s LSU Tigers 32-24. The latter was a very emotional win for the Rebels, and it raises the question: will there be a hangover for them?
This is the SEC: every game matters just a little bit more, and the Rebels can’t afford that to happen. How do our experts see the game happening? Needless to say, they are split.
Florida 38, Ole Miss 28
This game is the epitome of why preseason rankings don’t tell the entire story. The Gators weren’t ranked going into the year, and they have one of the most explosive offenses in the entire country, along with being 3.5-point favorites.
The key here will be the run game on both sides. We still don’t know if Kewan Lacy will play on Saturday, but Jadan Baugh is going to. He is a massive part of why the Gators have a net EPA/play of 0.44, which ranks second in the nation. His 8.5 YPC average and eight touchdowns are strong signals of how good he is at doing just that. I think the Gators will “run away” with this game on the back of Baugh.
– Tyler Forness, A to Z Florida
Florida 33, Ole Miss 30
The Rebels come to Gainesville on an all-time high after winning one of the most personal, emotional, and highly publicized college football games in years las weekend against Lane Kiffin and LSU. How do you get back up as highly for anything after that? Even with this being a marquee SEC matchup, there’s no way to match the intensity and emotion of last weekend, not even close.
Meanwhile, Florida picked up an impressive road win over Auburn 44-39 that certainly raised an eyebrow or two about the Gators’ resurgence. I have questions about Florida’s defense, but I have none about Jadan Baugh nor Florida’s level of playmakers on offense.
Logic tells me that Ole Miss is the better team, and certainly with the better quarterback. But this silly and wonderful sport so often looks logic in the face and laughs. Jon Sumrall seems to have his team focus and energized, and in the Swamp, that’s just enough to pull off the upset.
– Craig Smith, A to Z Miami
Florida 28, Ole Miss 27
I think this is the best game on the college football schedule this weekend. This has all the ingredients of an absolute classic in The Swamp, with two undefeated SEC teams and two offenses capable of putting up points in a hurry. Florida’s rushing attack will be the difference for me, with Jadan Baugh continuing his ridiculous start to the season. Baugh enters Week 4 with 458 rushing yards and eight touchdowns, while averaging 8.5 yards per carry. I expect Florida to lean heavily on him, especially late, and Baugh’s ability to consistently create explosive runs will keep the Gators’ offense on schedule and give them enough opportunities to score 28 points.
But this game ultimately comes down to Trinidad Chambliss playing Superman — until the very end. The Ole Miss quarterback is coming off a spectacular performance against LSU in which he threw for 363 yards and three total touchdowns, and he has been one of the most productive quarterbacks in the country through three games. I expect him to make play after play against Florida, extending drives with his legs and making throws that seemingly shouldn’t be there. However, with the game hanging in the balance late, Chambliss finally makes the one mistake Florida needs — an interception that seals a 28-27 Gators victory.
– Ryan Roberts, A to Z Notre Dame
Florida 17, Ole Miss 14
Florida is 2-0, with wins over FAU and Campbell, while Auburn is also 2-0. Florida’s first two opponents haven’t provided a great test, though, so I wouldn’t overreact to the perfect record on both sides. However, Auburn has faced some tougher competition in teams like Baylor.
Still, I have Florida winning this game. Their defense will take over in this game. We have already seen Auburn and quarterback Byrum Brown struggle mightily. That was against Baylor. This Florida defense should be much better considering what we know about these teams this early on. The big thing to watch for is whether Florida’s offense can show up when they need it most. They have a prolific running back, but can he be the focal point of the offense against Auburn? Give me Florida in this one.
– Justin Churchill, A to Z Oklahoma
Ole Miss 30, Florida 24
Florida has a chance for a statement win here to really boost the start to the Jon Sumrall era in Gainesville. Florida being favored in this one is interesting, but it’s hard to pick against Trinidad Chambliss and a Florida pass defense that should give him plenty of opportunities.
Jadan Baugh is the key to Florida in this one, as Ole Miss hasn’t been especially good against the run. If Florida can ride Baugh, keep the ball away from Ole Miss’ offense and limit turnovers, they’re going to have a chance. I think we get a really good college football game in this one, but I think the Gators are a year away from taking this kind of game, at least.
– Brandon Little, A to Z Ohio State
Ole Miss 33, Florida 27
I don’t think it’s a stretch to say this is the biggest game in the Swamp in potentially a decade plus. A rebuilt Florida Gators program has looked impressive through three weeks, and despite what the rankings say, arguably the best team in the country is headed to Gainesville.
What has impressed me the most about the Gators is the play of Aaron Philo. Obviously, the skill positions for the Gators are among the best in the country, but Philo has looked good distributing the rock and made a few highlight-worthy throws thus far. The problem for the Gators is the other quarterback in this game.
Call it magic, moxy, aura, whatever you want to say, Trinidad Chambliss is cooking with Crisco, and he’s the hottest player in the sport, and maybe the best. I think he and that backfield (even if Lacy doesn’t play) will be too much for the Gators, even though I love the toughness and discipline that unit is showing under Sumrall.
– Rob Gregson, A to Z Alabama
Final Prediction for Ole Miss vs. Florida
One year after the Gators gave the Rebels hell in Oxford, they are 4-2 favorites based on our experts opinons to win this game. Will they end up getting the win? Saturday afternoon will be fascinating to watch play out.
