Kentucky coming to town with NFL-like defense against Ole Miss

OXFORD, Miss. — It didn’t take long for Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin to point out the key difference now that SEC play starts Saturday. He saw it fast looking at Kentucky on film.

“They very much look like an NFL defense from a size standpoint, coverages and techniques,” he said Monday about Saturday’s opponent. “That’s why a lot of people struggle against them. Games seem more like NFL games. It’s hard to make yards, hard to run the ball.”

It should be pointed out quickly that may not include what he saw on the film of a 31-6 loss the second week to South Carolina. That was due more in part, though, the Wildcats’ offense that often appeared to be completely lost.

The defense held up well against Georgia and Kentucky had a shot to win a 13-12 struggle win by the Bulldogs. Kiffin kept going back to their defense, which is big and obviously playing very well. He’s seen it in the SEC for awhile, though.

“The front sevens in the SEC on defense over time have always been better than any other conference,” Kiffin said. “I saw that a long time ago at Tennessee (as head coach in 2008). It felt like every week in the SEC, you were going to see a unique, high draft pick type of front seven defensive player. This is a good example of it. (Deone Walker) is a problem, he’s 6-7, 330 and can rush. He can be an example of SEC problem players in the front.”

Ole Miss’ offense hasn’t really been slowed down much this season. There have been some games they’ve shot themselves in the foot on a few drives, but not many. Kentucky will put that to the test.

Defensively, if the Rebels can avoid being their own worst enemy with penalties, the Wildcats’ offense may have the biggest problem. They have been averaging 165.8 yards a game rushing, but only 152.3 per game through the air.

That could be their biggest issue.

Kickoff will be at 11 am. Saturday morning at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. The game will be televised on ABC.