Kentucky has struggled to win close games against Ole Miss

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Oct 1, 2022; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Kentucky Wildcats tight end Jordan Dingle (85) and Mississippi Rebels defensive back Davison Igbinosun (20) during the second half at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Kentucky will make the road trip to Oxford for the second time in three seasons this weekend. The long-time SEC programs have not played much, but when they do, we’ve seen some instant classics over the last decade.

The Rebels enter this week’s contest with a significant 29-14-1 series lead over the Wildcats. Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops has faced Ole Miss three times and each meeting came down to the final possession.

2017 | Ole Miss 37, Kentucky 34 | Kroger Field
2020 | Ole Miss 42, Kentucky 41 (OT) | Kroger Field
2022 | Ole Miss 22, Kentucky 19 | Vaught-Hemingway Stadium

A DK Metcalf touchdown grab with five seconds left gave Ole Miss a narrow win in a 2017 game Kentucky led 27-17 with just under 20 minutes remaining. A missed PAT in overtime gave Ole Miss a one-point win in 2020 in a contest where Kentucky rushed for 408 yards on 7.3 yards per attempt. Two scoring opportunity lost fumbles by Kentucky in the fourth quarter helped Ole Miss hold on for a three-point home victory in 2022.

The Wildcats have lost the last three games in this series by a combined seven points. Ole Miss has made the plays late in games that could have gone in any direction, but the close game bad breaks extend longer than that.

Kentucky lost to a 4-8 Ole Miss team by a touchdown (42-35) in 2010 thanks to a minus-three mark in the turnover column. Ole Miss beat Kentucky by six at home in 2005 giving head coach Ed Orgeron is first SEC win. The Rebels’ only conference win in 2005 and 2010 came against Kentucky in Oxford.

Since 1990, there have been six one-possession games in this series and Ole Miss has won all of them. The last three victories have all been by three points or less. Is another close loss coming to Kentucky this weekend?

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