[Cactus Jack]

I'm going to go against the grain here. We've played well in Oxford-- I was there in 2010 and watched us squander another opportunity in 2022. The Cats kept it close in 2005 as well.

For all the hype that it gets, The Grove is overrated. Sure, you'll see plenty of displays from fans who probably wish it were the early 1860's, but Vaught-Hemingway only seats around 65K and was only recently enclosed entirely; not the most intimidating atmosphere or tough to get everything communicated over the noise. No offense, but an 11 am kick isn't exactly Saturday Night in Death Valley.

Ole Miss can score quickly, but offenses that take lots of risks are also prone to short drives that leave their defense fatigued and in bad field position, which isn't a great thing against an opponent that can control the clock.


The early line isn't encouraging, but the game probably goes one of two ways:

1.) Ole Miss scores enough that Kentucky has to get out of their element and the 'Cats are blown out unless they start playing to keep it close

or

2.) Kentucky's defense creates enough havoc that the offense isn't asked to do too much and can just play complementary football. They do so well enough to stay within striking distance, and the last 2-3 possessions determine the outcome.


X-Factor won't be Ole Miss' offense or Kentucky's defense, it will be Kentucky's offense and Ole Miss' defense.