There's nothing more nerve-racking than traveling to another venue in the SEC, even for fans. Thousands of opposing colored attire surrounding you as you enter the stadium—it can be an incredibly intimidating experience.
But fear not, as Razorbackers has gone "behind enemy lines" for you to get the inside scoop heading into Arkansas' matchup with Ole Miss. We've sat down with Drew Moore, site expert for , who gave us a look behind the curtain into the Rebels' 2025-26 squad.
Arkansas football vs Ole Miss: Q&A with Ole Hotty Toddy site expert Drew Moore
Q: We can't start this without addressing the elephant in the room. Ole Miss has three former Hogs on the team: Patrick Kutas, Jaylon Braxton, and Luke Hasz. I know Braxton and Hasz were injured for the first two games of the season, but Kutas has played. What are your thoughts on the three Arkansas turncoats from the summer and Kutas through two contests?
A: I think, like most Ole Miss fans, I was incredibly excited for all three of them to join the team, and of course, the feeder team jokes were nice fun. However, the early returns from the trio have been very slim. They all have dealt with injuries during their time at Ole Miss, much like they did at Arkansas. I’m hopeful we can get them healthy and in form.
We know Kutas and Hasz will suit up, and I think Braxton will as well in a rotational role. Kutas has struggled a bit in his first games, and I think a lot of that has to do with him missing significant time in camp with injuries. He looks like a player who hasn’t played full-speed football in a while. I have confidence he will come around based on his track record. I am incredibly excited to see Luke Hasz play.
I think he has the ability to really be a difference maker for the Ole Miss offense, and complementing him with our other TE, Dae’quan Wright, can add another element to this offense. The secondary is probably the weakest link of the Rebel defense; it’s not terrible, just definitely not elite. Adding a player of Braxton’s quality can really help bolster it; however, it will probably take him some time to get up to speed.
Q: Lane Kiffin was tasked with replacing a talent like Jaxson Dart this season, and Ole Miss settled on Austin Simmons. So far, he's had some ups and downs—like throwing for 576 yards and going 2-0, but averaging two interceptions a game. How do you feel about him going into the rest of the season and into the game against Arkansas?
A: He has obviously been a mixed bag so far. He has flashed a lot of talent and clearly has the makeup to develop into one of the best QBs in the country. He still looks like a 19-year-old kid playing his first significant football. In both games, the interceptions have come early. He seems to be jittery out of the gates, and a common theme on all these interceptions has been the pass rush getting to him.
When the Ole Miss offensive line has been able to keep him clean, he has been pretty surgical. He showcased a lot of grit last week to bounce back from the rough start, making some big-time throws to complete the comeback win on the road. I still have a lot of confidence in him going into this week and for the rest of the season. I think he will continue to get better and better, and he takes more snaps, but Ole Miss is obviously going to have to ride the ups and downs with the young QB.
Q: Last season's game isn't one that Arkansas fans like to remember. Ole Miss put up record numbers in Fayetteville on its way to a 63-31 victory. People like to point out how the Rebels' offense completely obliterated the Razorbacks' defense. But in my opinion, it was the defense that was the unsung hero for Ole Miss. Do you think they can thwart Arkansas' offense again with a healthy Taylen Green at the helm this time?
A: The Ole Miss defense obviously looks very different from how it did a year ago, as there are 8 guys from last season's team on NFL rosters or practice squads. However, Defensive Coordinator Pete Golding has done a great job retooling this defense both through the transfer portal and through developing high school recruits.
TJ Dottery returns at linebacker, and he has been great leading the defense through the first two weeks. Antonio Kite transferred in from Auburn, and it seems like the coaching staff has been able to unlock something, as he has been a really good corner so far. Most notably, Senior DT Zxavian Harris looks to have taken the next step. He played in the shadow of some other guys on the defensive line last year, but he has been a monster this season. He has been a handful for teams so far, and I imagine he will emphasize a lot of Razorback blocking schemes.
I certainly think Arkansas will be able to score on this defense; it is not as potent as it was a year before. I think a key for Ole Miss will be three things. One is going to be containing Green's legs, I do think they have the personnel to do that. Second, it is forcing some turnovers. Arkansas State was able to get two interceptions out of Green, and the Rebels will need to try to win the turnover battle on Saturday for the first time this season. Third, will be getting some pressure. It seems like so far this season, teams have been able to get to the Arkansas QB, and that will be a key for the Ole Miss defense on Saturday night. I also think the Rebel defense is going to be such a large step up in talent from what Arkansas has seen so far this season that it might be a bit jarring early in the game.
Q: Arkansas and Ole Miss have had some truly bizarre, yet exciting games in the past, especially at night in Oxford. What are some of your favorite memories from this rivalry?
A: I became an Ole Miss fan in 2018 when I decided to go to school there, so that limits the memories for me. However, since then, this annual matchup has been one of my favorites, and it will be a shame if we end up losing that in the new format.
My answer is really easy, and it was the 2021, 52-51 shootout in Oxford. I was sitting in the front row of the student section for that game, and it was just a ton of fun. I remember like 3 super long TDs at least for Ole Miss, including a super long TD run from Snoop Conner. I was standing practically right where KJ Jefferson's 2-point conversion throw sailed out of the end zone, and the Vaught just went crazy.
Q: Who are some Rebel players that we haven't talked about that Arkansas fans need to know before Saturday's matchup?
A: I think Ole Miss is really starting to rely on the running game. Kewan Lacy has been an absolute revelation for the Ole Miss offense. He is providing a level of running talent to the offense that was just missing last season. He has been incredible and is leading the SEC in rushing. I expect that Lane Kiffin will continue to lean on him. Expect him to touch the ball close to 30 times in this game.
Another one we have to mention is Cayden Lee. He was incredible for Ole Miss last season. However, he only has three catches for the Rebels coming into this one. He has been drawing a lot of doubles from opposing defenses. However, I think that will have to change shortly, as Harrison Wallace is being left open. I think Lee will end up having a big day sooner rather than later.
Finally, you have to talk about backup QB Trinidad Chambliss for this one. Simmons is dealing with an ankle injury. He hasn't practiced much this week, and Chambliss has been taking first-team snaps. I think Simmons will start the game on Saturday, but I do expect Trinidad to play a role. He is a run-first QB and is really good at it. Expect a few packages with him in them.
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