The October 11, 2025 matchup between the Ole Miss Rebels and the Washington State Cougars at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium brings together two programs on opposite ends of the college football spectrum — one competing for SEC supremacy and the other trying to find its footing in a new era of transition. Ole Miss enters this contest as a heavy favorite, boasting one of the most explosive offenses in the nation under head coach Lane Kiffin, while Washington State travels south as a rebuilding program still searching for identity and stability under head coach Jake Dickert. The Rebels’ offensive system has continued to evolve into one of college football’s most efficient, fast-paced attacks, averaging north of 40 points per game and ranking near the top of the country in yards per play. Quarterback Jaxson Dart, now a veteran leader, has elevated his decision-making and accuracy, using his legs when necessary and spreading the ball effectively among a deep receiving corps led by Tre Harris and Jordan Watkins. Complementing the aerial assault is the ground game anchored by running back Ulysses Bentley IV, whose combination of patience and burst gives Ole Miss the versatility to control tempo and keep defenses guessing. Their offensive line has been dominant, allowing Dart ample time in the pocket and creating space for Bentley to exploit creases. On the defensive side, Ole Miss has shown tangible improvement under defensive coordinator Pete Golding, particularly in situational football and takeaways.

The Rebels’ front seven, featuring standout edge rusher Jared Ivey and linebacker Suntarine Perkins, has become increasingly disruptive, collapsing pockets and forcing quarterbacks into hurried throws. Against Washington State’s air-oriented offense, that pressure could become a decisive factor. The Cougars, meanwhile, enter this matchup amid a difficult transition year following the departures of key skill players and the ongoing realignment chaos that left their program in flux. Their offensive identity under Dickert remains built around tempo and short passing concepts designed to neutralize bigger, faster defensive fronts, but execution has been inconsistent. Quarterback Jaxon Potter has shown flashes of promise with his arm strength and composure but has been limited by protection issues and a lack of explosive weapons. Running backs Dylan Paine and Jaylen Jenkins have struggled to establish rhythm against Power Five fronts, forcing the Cougars into predictable down-and-distance situations. Defensively, Washington State has been competitive in spurts, particularly against the run, but depth remains a concern — a dangerous vulnerability when facing an offense as deep and relentless as Ole Miss. Their secondary, led by safety Sam Lockett III, will face one of its toughest assignments of the season against the Rebels’ vertical passing game. For Washington State to keep this game competitive, they’ll need to force turnovers, win special teams field position, and slow down the tempo to limit possessions. Ole Miss, on the other hand, must avoid the complacency that can creep into such mismatched nonconference contests. If Kiffin’s team plays with focus and avoids early turnovers, their offensive efficiency and physical dominance up front should allow them to build separation quickly. Expect the Rebels to establish control through balanced play-calling, force Washington State to abandon the run, and lean on their defense to suffocate the Cougars’ short-passing rhythm. In the end, the talent disparity, home-field advantage, and overall cohesion of Ole Miss make this matchup lopsided on paper — but for Washington State, it represents an invaluable opportunity to measure growth, resilience, and competitiveness against one of the SEC’s most complete teams.

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