In front of a record-breaking crowd, Lane Kiffin and the Ole Miss had one final tune-up before starting the gauntlet of the Southeastern Conference that begins with Kentucky on Saturday inside of Vaught Hemingway Stadium. Fifty-two points, over six hundred yards, and a firework show later, the Ole Miss Rebels are ready for their run at the Southeastern Conference Championship game for the first time in school history, and a bid to the College Football Playoff is now in the frontal view for the Rebels.

The Georgia Southern game, a final tune-up for the Southeastern Conference, went pretty well for the Rebels. Some things were things to improve upon, while others looked like the well-oiled machine that Ole Miss fans have gotten used to over the first four weeks of the season.

First, on the offensive side of the ball, Ole Miss put up video game numbers with 607 yards and 52 points. All the while, Jaxson Dart and Tre Harris continue to wow the fans with Heisman-worthy numbers. Jaxson Dart and Tre Harris combined for 225 yards on two touchdowns, adding a few long balls to the excitement.

Second, the running back continues to improve week by week. Every week, it feels as if a new running back emerges from the group with the strength in numbers needed to add to the weaponry or arsenal that Coach Kiffin has built this season in Oxford. On Saturday night against Georgia Southern, Henry Parrish led the way for the Rebels with 89 yards and one touchdown. Defensive tackle JJ Pegues appeared in the red zone with a bulldozer of a touchdown over the top to give Rebel Nation a bit of excitement in a snoozer.

Third, although not ideal, the Ole Miss defense allowed the season’s first touchdown in the second quarter. However, halftime adjustments were at the forefront of conversation for defensive coordinator Pete Golding, as Ole Miss held the Georgia Southern Eagles to less than 200 yards of total offense, allowing two more field goals in the final half. Ole Miss held Georgia Southern to 37 yards on the ground.

Overall, Ole Miss’s non-conference slate was successful, as the Rebels found an identity that worked against teams of less stature. The Rebels seem poised for a strong start in Southeastern Conference play as they welcome Kentucky to the Vaught on Saturday. Ole Miss finishes non-conference play ranked 6th in the country. After road trips to South Carolina and LSU, Ole Miss will start the SEC slate with no bye week until the 19th. Following the Kentucky game on Saturday, Ole Miss will return home on the 26th when the Sooners of Oklahoma travel to Vaught Hemingway Stadium.

Photo Credits: Ole Miss Football on X