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The University of Mississippi Athletics
GAMEDAY PREVIEW: No. 18 Ole Miss vs. Arkansas
11/7/2015 | Football
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OXFORD, Miss. - The 18th-ranked Rebels look to stay in contention for the SEC West title as they face Arkansas with a kickoff set for 2:30 p.m. CT today on CBS.
Ole Miss matched its best record through nine games in the last 25 years with a road win over Auburn last week.
The Rebels (7-2, 4-1 SEC) will have a bye following this week's game. They take on LSU at home and travel to Mississippi State for the Egg Bowl on Nov. 28.
"I am very pleased with where we are," said Rebel head coach Hugh Freeze. "Would I like to have some games back? Absolutely. But, we are right in the thick of things. I think that's what the Ole Miss people wanted a few years back, and we are there. Now we need to build on them."
Arkansas (4-4, 2-2 SEC) comes off a 63-28 win against UT Martin. Arkansas is looking to have a winning SEC record for the first time since 2011. The Razorbacks upset No. 8 Ole Miss last year in Fayetteville.
"I won't talk to our kids about that," noted Freeze on last year's game. "I'll just put the film on. Arkansas can speak for itself by the way they played against Alabama, Tennessee and Auburn. So that should motivate our players."
All-American tackle Laremy Tunsil has given the offense the balance it was looking for. Ole Miss is 2-0 in the SEC, averaging 193 yards on the ground, since Tunsil's return.
Since then, the Rebels have seen production out of running back Akeem Judd. Judd had a 25-yard touchdown run that came at a crucial time for the Rebels last week. Judd and fellow back Jaylen Walton look to continue hitting holes for big plays.
"He (Judd) is playing very well. We are excited about the added dimension he brings us. He and Jaylen (Walton) are a good combination. That was a big-time run he made to put us ahead the other day. He's finishing runs. He's taking care of the ball when he runs. He's been a very nice bonus for us."
The Razorbacks have an offense that is second in the SEC in time of possession. Running back Alex Collins is the SEC active leader in career rushing yards. Quarterback Kyle Allen ranks third in the SEC in passing yards.
"It will be an SEC fistfight. It will be a physical game," Freeze said. "They can control the clock, and they have good schemes on both sides. Their defense makes you go the length of the field without making a mistake in order to score points. They have given up very few explosive plays. That is the way they are built."
Ole Miss will count on the top passer in the SEC to continue his success. Quarterback Chad Kelly has 20 touchdown passes and has thrown for 2,856 yards this season. He will look to his go-to target Laquon Treadwell early and often. Treadwell has had at least a touchdown and 100 yards receiving in the last four games, a school record.
This will be the 62nd meeting between the two teams. Ole Miss leads the series in Oxford 7-2.
