Game time: Florida Gators vs. Ole Miss Rebels — TV, betting odds, keys
NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...
Mississippi at Florida
When: Saturday, 3:30 p.m.
Where: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville
Latest line: UF is favored by 3.5 points
TV: ABC
Weather: 83 degrees, 0% chance of rain
Coaches: Pete Golding is 5-1 in second season at Ole Miss; Jon Sumrall is 3-0 in first year at UF, 46-12 overall.
Quick slant:Florida’s three-game winning streak in the series ended last year with a 34-24 loss Nov. 15 at Ole Miss. The Rebels are the only team in the country this season with two wins against ranked opponents, beating Louisville 41-38 and LSU 32-24. This is the 21st consecutive sellout for UF, marking longest sellout streak at The Swamp since a 138-game run from 1989-2011.
About No. 4 Ole Miss (3-0, 1-0 SEC):Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss leads the league with 924 passing yards and has accounted for nine touchdowns. Receiver Deuce Alexander’s 20 receptions for 295 yards are SEC highs. But the Rebels are likely to be without tailback Kewan Lacy, who rushed for 224 yards against the Gators last season. LSU sophomore transfer JT Lindsey would replace him. All-SEC defensive tackle Will Echoles has three tackles for loss, while linebacker Tah’j Butler has a team-high 20 tackles. The defense allows 23.7 points per game, 14th in the SEC, and 373.7 yards, 15th.
About No. 21 UF (3-0, 1-0):The Gators’ 162 points are the most through three games for a first-year coach at the school. Jadan Baugh’s 152.7 rushing yards per game and eight touchdowns led the SEC. Quarterback Aaron Philo ranks second in completion percentage (73.4%) and yards per attempt (11.3) while ranking third in rating (192.76). Thus far, Florida’s defense has not kept pace. The Gators are 11th in the SEC in yards allowed (326.3 per game) and tied for 10th in points allowed (21 per game). Linebacker Myles Graham has a team-high 20 stops.
3 things to watch
1. Containing Chambliss. The Rebels quarterback is elusive, able to throw on the run or beat defenders around the edge. The Gators recorded seven sacks at Auburn but could struggle to get Chambliss on the ground and stay with receivers as he buys time.
2. Ole Miss run defense.The Rebels allow a SEC-high 159 rushing yards per game as it prepares to face Baugh, who looks to join Emmitt Smith and Fred Taylor as the only Gators with five straight 100-yard games.
3. Explosive plays.The Gators lead the SEC with 12 plays of 30 yards or longer, while the Rebels have eight. But the Rebels have allowed seven, compared with just three by Florida.
Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com
More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos