OXFORD − Both Ole Miss football and Oklahoma are attempting to stop a slide.
The No. 18 Rebels (5-2, 1-2 SEC) host the Sooners (4-3, 1-3) on Saturday (11 a.m., ESPN). Ole Miss is coming off an open week but dropped a Week 7 game in overtime at LSU. The Sooners have struggled in their first SEC season and have lost their previous two games by more than 20 points.
Here’s what to watch for when Ole Miss and Oklahoma square off:
Will Jackson Arnold (or Michael Hawkins) have a chance against Ole Miss’ defensive line?
The Sooners played two quarterbacks last week in their 35-9 loss against South Carolina. Neither had much of a chance.
Jackson Arnold and Michael Hawkins were sacked a combined nine times last week. The Sooners could face similar problems Saturday. Oklahoma has said Arnold, a sophomore who entered the season as the No. 1 option, will start against Ole Miss.
The Rebels’ defensive line has been a strength. Ole Miss is tied for seventh in the nation with 24 sacks. If defensive end Princely Umanmielen can return from injury for Ole Miss, it would be a big boost.
How will Rebels’ quarterback Jaxson Dart respond to pressure to win out?
Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart is playing with tremendous pressure. He applied it himself postgame after LSU, saying Ole Miss needs to win out.
Dart is probably right. History indicates Ole Miss does need to win out to reach the 12-team College Football Playoff.
The last two quarters against LSU were rough for Ole Miss. The Rebels mustered only six points in the second half and lost yardage in overtime.
Coach Lane Kiffin said the open week afforded his team a valuable opportunity to reset and stabilize mentally for the back half of the season.
“I think it was good from the mental part,” Kiffin said. “A lot going on with the two losses that we so easily could have won. We’re over halfway through the season and have only trailed for 2½ minutes of all games combined. That part was a lot to deal with. I think it was good for everybody to get a little break.”
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Will JJ Pegues rush for another touchdown?
Ole Miss football defensive lineman JJ Pegues has asserted himself on offense and defense.
Pegues has four rushing touchdowns. His other four rushing attempts have been first downs. It’s led to his emergence as a legitimate offensive weapon.
Pegues is halfway to the NCAA record for single-season rushing touchdowns by a defensive player.
Ole Miss football vs Oklahoma score predictions
Ole Miss 24, Oklahoma 10: Ole Miss hosts a floundering opponent in need of answers. They will be tough to find in Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. The Rebels’ defense, led by linebacker Chris Paul and a ferocious defensive front, should hold Oklahoma’s offense at bay.
Sam Hutchens covers Ole Miss for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at Shutchens@gannett.com or reach him on X at @Sam_Hutchens_
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Ole Miss football vs Oklahoma score prediction, scouting report
