No. 9 Ole Miss vs Vanderbilt kicks off Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, airing on ESPN. The Rebels (3-1) arrive off a bye week following a 52-28 loss to Florida on Sept. 26, while Vanderbilt (3-2) is coming off back-to-back SEC losses to Auburn and Georgia. The biggest question entering kickoff is whether running back Kewan Lacy’s return can get the Ole Miss ground game back on track against a Vanderbilt defense that has to navigate uncertainty at quarterback.
Ole Miss Vs Vanderbilt Game Information
- Date: Saturday, Oct. 10
- Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
- Venue: FirstBank Stadium, Nashville, TN
- TV: ESPN
- Weather: 66°F, 49% chance of precipitation
Is Kewan Lacy Ready To Carry The Rebels’ Ground Game Again?
Lacy suffered an injury during Ole Miss’ win over LSU and sat out the loss to Florida. Head coach Pete Golding said the sophomore back practiced through the bye week and is ready to return. “Fully anticipate having him this week,” Golding said, according to ESPN.
Golding also cautioned that Lacy’s workload will be managed. “That’s going to be a constant rotation based on how he is, and how healthy he is. But even coming back, he’s not going to take the toll of 40 or 50 snaps, and all those things,” Golding said, per CBS Sports.
Lacy has carried the ball 39 times for 191 yards and four touchdowns this season, numbers that trail last year’s pace when he ran for 1,567 yards and 24 touchdowns and earned All-America and Doak Walker Award finalist recognition. In his absence against Florida, backups JT Lindsey and Makhi Frazier combined for just 93 yards on 23 carries over two games, and quarterback Trinidad Chambliss led Ole Miss in rushing against the Gators with 44 yards and two touchdowns.
Will Jared Curtis Play For Vanderbilt?
Vanderbilt enters the week dealing with its own uncertainty under center. Freshman quarterback Jared Curtis missed last week’s loss to Georgia with a knee injury, and if he cannot go Saturday, the Commodores are expected to turn to Blaze Berlowitz, according to Sports Illustrated. Curtis has completed 63 of 98 passes for 746 yards with four touchdowns and three interceptions this season, numbers built mostly during Vanderbilt’s 3-0 start.
Can Vanderbilt’s Defense Slow Down An Explosive Ole Miss Offense?
Ole Miss ranks among the SEC’s most productive offenses this season, averaging 440 yards and 35.5 points per game through four contests. The Rebels convert 43.48% of third downs and have found the end zone 17 times overall. Vanderbilt’s defense has had its moments, led by junior safety CJ Heard, who recorded two sacks, two forced fumbles and a pass deflection in the Commodores’ win over Delaware. Vanderbilt’s defense has combined for 14 sacks and 20 tackles for loss through five games, but the unit will be tested by an Ole Miss attack averaging 322.5 passing yards per game.
What Does Junior Sherrill Mean To Vanderbilt’s Offense?
Senior wide receiver Junior Sherrill, a four-year contributor for the Commodores, ranks fourth in the SEC with 474 receiving yards and fifth with 28 receptions. His production has been central to a Vanderbilt passing attack averaging 226.4 yards per game, and his role could grow further if Berlowitz is forced into action under center.
By The Numbers
- Points per game: Ole Miss 35.5, Vanderbilt 25.4
- Total yards per game: Ole Miss 440.0, Vanderbilt 349.4
- Passing yards per game: Ole Miss 322.5, Vanderbilt 226.4
- Rushing yards per game: Ole Miss 117.5, Vanderbilt 123.0
- Third-down conversion rate: Ole Miss 43.48%, Vanderbilt 33.82%
- Fourth-down conversion rate: Ole Miss 60.00%, Vanderbilt 68.75%
- Sacks allowed per game: Ole Miss 1.0, Vanderbilt 1.8
- Turnover margin: Ole Miss -2, Vanderbilt even
What To Watch
Vanderbilt is coming off a 10-win 2025 season in which Clark Lea, now in his sixth year leading the program, won six SEC games and earned SEC Coach of the Year honors. That version of the Commodores had star quarterback Diego Pavia under center; this year’s team, now 29-38 under Lea overall, is adjusting to life without him and currently navigating a quarterback injury of its own. For Ole Miss, a win would keep the Rebels unbeaten in their last three outings after the Florida setback, with Lacy’s return serving as the clearest sign of whether the offense can regain its early-season balance between the run and pass.
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