Opponent preview: Ole Miss’ defense

STARKVILLE, Miss. — Mississippi State football will travel to Ole Miss for the 93rd installment of the Egg Bowl on Saturday. The game will kick off at 3 p.m. CT.

The Ole Miss defense has been bad. Very bad. Statistically, it ranks last in the Southeastern Conference in scoring defense, last in total defense, 13th in passing defense and last in rushing defense. The Rebels total defense is ranked as the third-worst in the nation. The Rebels, who allow 40.9 points per game, have allowed an average of 292.1 yards passing per game and 243.4 yards rushing for a total of 535.6 yards.

Junior defensive back Keidron Smith leads Ole Miss with 47 total tackles and six passes defensed.

The Rebels also boast a trio of linebackers who have all recorded at least 40 total tackles. Junior Jacquez Jones has notched 44, junior MoMo Sanogo has 41 and senior Lakia Henry has 40. Henry is also No. 2 on the team in sacks with 2 ¹⁄_2.

Sophomore defensive back A.J. Finley, who has also recorded 40 tackles, has defensed four passes and has recorded three interceptions.

The game will be airing on SEC Network.