Ole Miss vs Kentucky Prediction, Best Bet & Odds (Sep. 6)

• Ole Miss and Kentucky square off in Week 2 on Saturday, Sept. 6
• This SEC showdown will be the first conference game for both teams
• See my prediction and best bet for Ole Miss vs Kentucky

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An early conference clash unfolds at Kroger Field as the Wildcats host the Rebels in Lexington. The matchup carries added weight not only because it’s intra-conference, but also due to last year’s result – when Kentucky knocked off then-No. 6 Ole Miss on the road, 20-17.

Will the Wildcats replicate last year’s underdog heroics, or can the Rebels get revenge? Let’s dive into the odds, predictions and best bet for Ole Miss vs Kentucky.

Ole Miss vs Kentucky Odds

Odds via Caesars as of September 6 at 12 pm ET. Bet on this SEC game with the Caesars Sportsbook promo code.

Several sportsbooks opened this line as low as -8.5 in favor of Mississippi, and the total at 53.5. Now, the consensus has the Rebels as a 9 or 9.5-point favorite with the total dropping to 50.5.

Respect in the market is back the notion that Coach Lane Kiffin will get his revenge and that both defenses can carry over the success they had in Week 1.

Ole Miss vs Kentucky Prediction

As bettors, we should always be cautious around recency bias. Simultaneously, it’s important to recognize notable stats and performances when there’s a limited sample size on a team and players. In this case, I believe there is plenty to take away from the Rebels’ Week 1 performance.

Ole Miss pummeled Georgia State 63-7, racking up 695 total yards in the process. The offense was balanced incredibly well, producing 400 yards through the air and another 295 on the ground.

At just 19 years old, redshirt sophomore quarterback Austin Simmons looked more like a veteran than a second-year starter. He completed 20 of 31 passes for 341 yards, tossing three touchdowns while getting picked twice. His ability to spread the ball around was especially impressive, with eight different receivers catching at least two passes.

Austin Simmons is DEALING 👀

He's got 341 Pass Yds and THREE TDs in his first start for @OleMissFB 🔥 pic.twitter.com/nwE06xT2iR

— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) August 31, 2025

The rushing attack proved just as lethal. Ole Miss ran the ball 44 times for 295 yards (6.7 YPC) and four touchdowns.

Defensively, the Rebels dictated terms from the start. Georgia State’s passing game was held to 69 yards on 25 attempts and intercepted once, while the run game found little room to operate. From top to bottom, it was the kind of complete performance that sets a tone early in the season.

Conversely, though Kentucky ended up on top 25-16 against Toledo – it was evident that there is plenty to work throughout Coach Mark Stoops organization.

Quarterback Zach Calzada, making yet another stop in his well-traveled career, struggled to generate much through the air. The 24-year-old completed only 10 of 23 attempts for 85 yards and a pick, averaging just 3.7 yards per pass. With no consistency or explosiveness, Kentucky’s aerial attack remains a clear concern.

Mark Stoops said Zach Calzada is doing all the right things in practice this week after struggling in Kentucky's season opener.

"I’ve seen him respond very well."https://t.co/YbnCTJPmD5 pic.twitter.com/VKNiLouZCJ

— KSR (@KSRonX) September 3, 2025

The ground game, on the other hand, kept the offense afloat. Former Nebraska running back Dante Dowdell powered his way to 129 yards on 14 carries (9.2 YPC) and a touchdown. As a team, the Wildcats churned out 220 rushing yards and three scores on 43 attempts.

If Calzada, with all his experience, couldn’t generate a passing game against Toledo, how can we expect him to keep up with the firepower Ole Miss brings to the table?

I expect Kiffin to have his team locked in from the opening kick, eager for revenge after last year’s loss. Look for the Rebels to set the tone early and keep the pressure on for all four quarters.

Ole Miss vs Kentucky Best Bet

Playing on the road in a conference setting isn’t enough to push me off Ole Miss. The Rebels hold clear advantages at quarterback and across the skill positions, and their defense looks to be trending in the right direction.

Being able to grab under 10 is very appealing. The line has drifted slightly back toward Kentucky, but I’m more than comfortable taking the better team at a discounted number, especially with revenge on their mind. Let’s look for the Rebels to win this game by double-digits.

• Ole Miss -9 (-110) at Caesars