No. 7 Ole Miss can’t afford late-season meltdown vs. Florida originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
No. 7 Ole Miss returns to Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on Saturday night looking to keep its College Football Playoff push intact when it hosts struggling Florida in a primetime SEC matchup.
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The Rebels (9-1, 5-1 SEC, No. 7 CFP) have won three straight and remain unbeaten at home behind breakout quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, who has thrown for 2,356 yards and rushed for 434 while accounting for 19 total touchdowns and just three turnovers. Ole Miss, featuring 18 new starters, is seeking its fourth 10-win season in the last five years.
Florida (3-6, 2-4) arrives in the opposite position. The Gators have lost six of eight, fired head coach Billy Napier on Oct. 19 and dropped 19 consecutive road or neutral-site games against ranked teams. Interim coach Billy Gonzales said sophomore DJ Lagway will remain the starter despite 12 interceptions this season.
Lagway, who has thrown for 1,762 yards and 11 touchdowns, was benched during last week’s 38-7 loss at Kentucky but is expected to open Saturday’s game behind center.
Ole Miss players insist last year’s 24-17 loss in Gainesville, one that kept the Rebels out of the playoff, is not a motivator.
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Despite Florida’s injuries, 13 players were sidelined last week, including receivers Eugene Wilson III and Dallas Wilson. But Kiffin is cautious against overlooking the Gators.
“This is the same team that was ahead of Georgia in the fourth quarter and beat Texas,” Kiffin said. “They’re as talented as anybody.”
An upset by Florida would keep its bowl hopes alive with Tennessee and Florida State ahead, but Ole Miss remains focused on protecting home turf and staying firmly in the Playoff race.
No. 7 Ole Miss hosts Florida on Saturday night (7 p.m ET, ESPN).
