The September 13, 2025 SEC clash between Arkansas and Ole Miss in Oxford shapes up as a compelling early-season test for both programs, as Lane Kiffin’s Rebels look to reinforce their top-15 billing with a second straight conference win while Sam Pittman’s Razorbacks aim to flip the script with a statement road victory that could redefine their season. Ole Miss enters at 2–0, coming off a hard-fought win at Kentucky that showed both resilience and balance, with redshirt sophomore quarterback Austin Simmons displaying poise in his first SEC road start and the Rebels’ offense relying on a blend of inside zone runs, RPO looks, and timely downfield shots to sustain drives. Simmons’ arm strength and processing fit seamlessly into Kiffin’s uptempo scheme, and his supporting cast at receiver and running back is versatile enough to stress defenses horizontally and vertically. Against Arkansas, the mission will be simple: win first downs with efficient runs and quick throws, keep Simmons out of obvious passing situations, and finish drives with touchdowns rather than field goals, because in a game with a mid-50s total, settling for threes could keep the door open for the underdog. The Rebels’ defense, coordinated by Pete Golding, has shown flashes of growth, with a front seven capable of winning on early downs and a secondary disciplined enough to limit explosives when not stretched vertically. For Arkansas, the formula under Pittman hasn’t changed: establish the line of scrimmage, lean on a downhill run game, and use play-action and boots to keep defenses honest. The Razorbacks know that winning on first down is non-negotiable—second-and-long would allow Ole Miss to unleash simulated pressures and confuse protections—so expect Arkansas to emphasize pad-level dominance inside and patient rushing attempts that turn three-yard creases into five-yard wins.

The offensive line, a hallmark of Pittman’s tenure, must not only generate movement in the trenches but also handle Ole Miss’ defensive disguises, because protection breakdowns and negative plays could flip the game in the Rebels’ favor quickly. Defensively, Arkansas will prioritize tackling in space to prevent Ole Miss’ quick-game from becoming chunk plays, keeping two safeties high whenever possible to limit vertical shots while trusting the front to contain the Rebels’ run schemes. Situationally, both teams know that the middle eight minutes—the last four of the first half and first four of the second—could dictate momentum: Ole Miss will want to stack possessions and create separation, while Arkansas will look to shorten the game with clock-chewing drives and at least one fourth-down gamble to steal a possession. Special teams could swing the contest as well; directional punting, clean kicking operations, and hidden yards on returns matter when spreads hover in the mid-single digits. From a betting lens, Ole Miss has been priced as a one-possession home favorite, reflecting faith in their balance and offensive ceiling, while Arkansas has drawn interest as a live dog thanks to a 2–0 start and the physical identity that can travel well. Ultimately, the game likely boils down to red-zone execution and turnover margin: if Ole Miss converts 60 percent or more of its red-zone trips into touchdowns and plays turnover-free football, their depth and tempo should create a two-score cushion; if Arkansas forces field goals, wins turnover margin, and strings together a couple of long scoring drives, the Rebels could find themselves in a fourth-quarter dogfight in a rivalry that often produces surprises.