University of Mississippi-Ole Miss Athletics

OXFORD, Miss – The No. 18 Ole Miss football team is back in action this weekend after its first bye week, hosting Oklahoma for the first time since the Sooners joined the Southeastern Conference.

We watched the game all week on OleMissSports.com. So be sure to check out our first look, series snapshot, training report and fan introduction for more information on the competition on and off the pitch.

Keep scrolling to see our top five storylines between the Rebels (5-2, 1-2) and the Sooners (4-3, 1-3), as well as other key information, including where to watch the game.

How to Watch: Ole Miss vs. Oklahoma
Date: Saturday, October 26th
Time: 11am CT
Location: Oxford, Mississippi
website: Vaught-Hemingway Stadium
Matchday information: Click here
What to wear: Powder blue
TV: ESPN
Live stream: ESPN app
radio: Ole Miss Radio Network
Live audio: OleMissSports.com/watch
Live statistics: Click here
Digital program: Click here

Released early

As usual, this game will likely be decided in advance. Oklahoma is tied for third in the nation and second in the SEC with 25.0 sacks this season. After this weekend, the Rebels will face each of the best pass rushing defenses in the conference. Ole Miss surpassed the league's sack leader, South Carolina, but fell to LSU, which ranks third with 24.0 sacks per game. The Rebels' offensive line is No. 11 in the conference with 17 sacks allowed this year.

Rebel rush

If the decision isn't made in advance while Ole Miss is on offense, it could be decided there while Oklahoma has the ball. Ole Miss was among the SEC's elite pass-rushing defenses, tied with the Tigers for third in the conference and seventh nationally with 24.0 sacks per game. The Sooner offensive line struggled to protect the quarterback, ranking 15th in the SEC and 133rd of 134 nationally with 29.0 sacks allowed on the season.

Time for change

Oklahoma struggled offensively to start the season, ranking last in the SEC and No. 128 nationally with just 288.1 yards of total offense per game, which head coach Brent Venables called an “abomination.” The Sooners parted ways with offensive coordinator Seth Littrell, and now former Rebel tight ends coach Joe Jon Finley will call the plays. The Sooners have also returned to quarterback Jackson Arnold after a difficult start. Will they finally find their rhythm this week after all the changes?

All four quarters

Ole Miss has been on the field for almost every minute of the game this season. The Rebels led 386:47 in game time, tied 18:44 and trailed just 14:29. Nevertheless, they have two narrow defeats on their record. Can Ole Miss prevent her from missing a clue again?

Goodbye

It's no secret that the Rebels have been pretty banged up in the last few weeks of competition. The nation's leading receiver Tre Harris has been back and forth and is still questionable for this week, while other key players including Princely Umanmielen, JJ Pegues And Henry Parrish Jr.are struggling with injuries. Will the Rebels be refreshed or rusty after the week off?

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