Everything to know before Ole Miss takes on Florida

Another gameday has arrived for Ole Miss football.

The Rebels are in the Sunshine State for a 2:30 p.m. kickoff against No. 21 Florida. These Gators aren’t at the level of the Steve Spurrier, Urban Meyer days, but they’re also much better than they were under Billy Napier.

Kickoff is fast approaching and here’s everything you need to know about Saturday’s game.

The Opponent: No. 21 Florida

Florida enters Saturday’s matchup with Ole Miss at 3-0 under first-year coach Jon Sumrall, powered by one of the nation’s most productive rushing attacks. Running back Jadan Baugh has rushed for 458 yards and eight touchdowns, while quarterback Aaron Philo has efficiently complemented the ground game with 721 passing yards and six touchdowns. Florida uses shifts, motion and multiple formations to create favorable numbers for Baugh before attacking downfield with receivers Vernell Brown III and Dallas Wilson.

Defensively, the Gators have been particularly strong against the run, allowing fewer than 100 rushing yards per game. Their biggest threat comes from a versatile pass rush led by Jayden Woods and Emmanuel Oyebadejo, who helped Florida record seven sacks against Auburn. However, the secondary has surrendered several explosive completions, and Florida committed 16 penalties at Auburn. Ole Miss’ ability to protect Trinidad Chambliss and generate explosive passes could be decisive.

Weather Report

Florida’s unpredictable weather shouldn’t have much of an impact Saturday afternoon. According to the National Weather Service forecast it’ll be “sunny, with a high near 82. North wind around 6 mph.” No rain, high winds or other inclement weather is expected.

Ole Miss Uniforms

  • Helmet: Powder blue
  • Jersey: White
  • Pants: White

How to Watch: No. 4 Ole Miss at No. 21 Florida

  • Who: No. 4 Ole Miss Rebels (3-0) at No. 21 Florida Gators (3-0)
  • When: 2:30 p.m., Saturday
  • Where: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, Fla.
  • TV: ABC
  • Radio: Live Radio
  • Stats: Live Stats
  • Series History: All-time series is tied 13-13-1
  • Last Meeting: Ole Miss 34, Florida 24 (November 15, 2025)
  • Last time out, Rebels: def. No. 7 LSU, 32-24
  • Last time out, Gators: def. Auburn, 44-39

Student-Athlete Availability Report

Ole Miss

Out

  • CB #13 Cedrick Beavers
  • CB #16 Dorian Barney
  • S #19 MJ Preston
  • LB #26 Ant Davis Jr.
  • LB #30 JaMichael Garrett
  • CB #32 Victor Lincoln Jr.
  • S #35 Craig Tutt
  • OL #70 Jalan Chapman
  • OL #71 Emanuel Faulkner

Doubtful

  • RB #5 Kewan Lacy

Florida

Questionable

  • WR #2 Eric Singleton Jr.

Odds, Spread, Totals

Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook

Spread

  • Ole Miss: +3.5 (-114)
  • Florida: -3.5 (-106)

Moneyline

  • Ole Miss: +142
  • Florida: -172

Total

  • Over: 58.5 (-114)
  • Under: 58.5 (-106)

HottyToddy.com Staff Picks

Any Hodges

Ole Miss 34, Florida 31. After Ole Miss downed LSU last weekend, some national media said the Rebels would still be mentally celebrating until Thursday or Friday. Ole Miss coach Pete Golding was probably flushing it out as he walked out of Monday’s press conference with the media figuring out how to get his team to do the same thing. Going to The Swamp has blown up Rebels’ season as recently as 2024. They can’t afford that this season with what they have left to play including road trips to Texas and Oklahoma plus getting Georgia at home. It may take Ole Miss a quarter or so to fully wake up unless they were actually able come down earlier in the week and Kewan Lacy’s status could have helped with that. Even without him, though, the Rebels proved in the win over the Tigers they still have a potent offense. On paper, the Gators don’t have players as good as LSU. Games aren’t played on paper but Ole Miss did beat their coach twice last season that will give him some extra motivation. The Rebels will be walking into a wild scene but it probably won’t be hostile. Just loud and rowdy. They will find a way to get the close win.

Taylor Hodges

Ole Miss 48, Florida 34. This won’t be an easy game for Ole Miss. Florida has a potent rushing attack, which is one area the Rebels’ defense hasn’t been great. Jadan Baugh is a dark horse Heisman Trophy candidate and he’ll get his touches and yards. But Ole Miss only needs a few stops because of the other side of the ball. Trinidad Chambliss is one of the best players in college football right now and Florida doesn’t have the defense, especially in the secondary, to slow him down. The Gators give up a lot of explosive passing plays and Ole Miss has multiple receivers and tight ends capable of exploiting that. Expect a high scoring game, but one the Rebels come out on top of.

Nina Houndeshell

Ole Miss 41, Florida 24. If Ole Miss was able to regain focus after a major rivalry win I believe the game is theirs to win. The team showed improvement across the board, and Chambliss is a threat to anybody’s defense. I don’t believe this will be a cakewalk whatsoever, as it’s their first true road game, and against another ranked team. However I think the Rebels get it done in the Swamp. 

Ryan Leider

Ole Miss 40, Florida 38. After such a huge win over LSU last weekend, all eyes are on the Rebels heading into their matchup with Florida. Ole Miss’ defense stepped up when it mattered most, setting a high standard for the rest of the season. On the offensive side, Trinidad Chambliss continues to prove why he is one of the biggest threats in college football. Do I think this weekend’s game will be a breeze? No. Florida is coming off a 44-39 win over Auburn and has a strong offense of its own, so the Rebels will definitely have a challenge in Gainesville. But do I think Ole Miss can get the job done? Absolutely. I’m expecting another high-scoring battle, and for the Rebels to come out on top.

Hudson Miller

Ole Miss 38, Florida 27. After an explosive night in Oxford, Mississippi the Rebels are making their way to Gainesville. We saw major defensive improvements, as well as an incredible Trinidad Chambliss appearance. Gainesville is a very hostile environment, Pete Golding as a head coach is unproven on the road, but that doesn’t mean he won’t prove that he can win in a place like The Swamp. Even if Kewan Lacy is not 100% this offense is still explosive. You can expect the Ben Hill Griffin Stadium to be full with 88,000 people, but so will the away side scoreboard.

Cianna Rivera

Ole Miss 41, Florida 27. After having such an emotional game against LSU, Ole Miss needs to make sure their focus is back for this weekend. Playing the Florida Gators in The Swamp is not an easy task due to them having such a large stadium and intense fans. Even though Ole Miss is not favored to win, this would not be the first time people have doubted them. I believe if Ole Miss is fully focused on this game and blocks out the crowd then they will be able to win.

EA College Football Sim

Florida 13, Ole Miss 0

2026 Rebels Football

Sun, Sept. 6vs Louisville, NashvilleW 41-38
Sat, Sep 12vs CharlotteW 41-9
Sat, Sep 19LSUW 32-24
Sat, Sep 26@ FloridaL, 52-28
Sat, Oct 10@ VanderbiltTBD
Sat, Oct 17MissouriTBD
Sat, Oct 24@ TexasTBD
Sat, Oct 31vs AuburnTBD
Sat, Nov 7vs GeorgiaTBD
Sat, Nov 14@ OklahomaTBD
Sat, Nov 21vs WoffordTBD
Sat, Nov 27vs Mississippi State11:00 AM, ABC