The SEC West is the toughest division in college football and almost any matchup of its teams could be considered a heavyweight bout, as is the case Saturday night in Tuscaloosa.
The Ole Miss Rebels (15) are visiting The Alabama Crimson Tide (2) trying to upset Nick Saban and co. for a second season in a row. But despite losing to Ole Miss last year, Alabama still wound up in the College Football Playoff, but that may well be a testament to the respect voters have for the SEC West.
CLICK HERE to watch the game live via WatchESPN. You can also listen to the game live via TuneIn. Kickoff is scheduled for 9:15 p.m. ET in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Back with Ole Miss from a season of junior college football, junior quarterback Chad Kelly is making the most of his second stint in Oxford. He is 29 of 40 this season with 557 yards and six touchdowns in two astounding blowout wins.
Unlike Kelly, Alabama QB Jake Coker watched last year's game from the sideline as a backup to Blake Sims. Now, Coker figures to continue getting the majority of snaps, especially if he can prove himself against a staunch Ole Miss defense.
"If you're a great competitor you love to play in games like this," ESPN quoted Saban telling reporters in his pregame press conference. "This is certainly going to offer as many challenges as anyone could hope for as a competitor."
Ole Miss lost 10 games in a row to Alabama before last season's upset win at home, but the Rebels' last 12 visits to Tuscaloosa have resulted in losses. For Freeze and Ole Miss, the confidence is there, but execution will be critical.
"I think we have a confident football team right now that believes it can win," Freeze told reporters. "I believe we can win. But I also know you can lose these games because you're playing a really good team."
