Through four games, Ole Miss football has yet to be seriously challenged. Now it's time for the 2024 Rebels schedule to ramp up.

No. 5 Ole Miss (4-0) hosts Kentucky (2-2, 0-2 SEC) on Saturday at 11 a.m. CT on ABC. The Wildcats are Ole Miss' first conference opponent, and despite Kentucky's lackluster conference record project as the best team Ole Miss has faced.

Depite the early kick, the game is sold out and will likely be played in front of a packed house. Tickets remain available at third-party sites.

The Wildcats are coming off a 41-6 win against Ohio. Kentucky played well against then-No. 1 Georgia two weeks ago, taking a lead into the fourth quarter before losing 13-12.

Here's what to watch for between the Rebels and the Wildcats:

If Kentucky scores first, how will Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss respond?

Ole Miss has yet to play from behind. The Rebels are outscoring their opponents 220-22, and much of that damage has come in the first half.

Because Furman, Middle Tennessee, Wake Forest and Georgia Southern were unable to seriously stress Ole Miss, it could lead to the Rebels being in unexpected territory on Saturday.

"I'm a realist," coach Lane Kiffin said. "I don't think our opponents have really prepared us for SEC play. My hope is our practice and fall camp have prepared us."

It'll be interesting to see how the Rebels respond if Kentucky scores first, or if the game is tied at halftime. Ole Miss could play its first second half with the game hanging in the balance. Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart leads the nation in passing with 1,554 yards. Through him, the Rebels have the ability to climb out of early-game holes. It just hasn't been required yet.

Ole Miss cornerback Brandon Turnage, who has played for Alabama and Tennessee, said he's excited to see what his team can do against Kentucky.

"Kentucky is a great team," Turnage said. "I've played against them in the past a lot. They are always a great matchup."

Can Ole Miss run the ball vs Kentucky's Deone Walker?

The size of linemen is often the main separator between major conference teams and everyone else. Kentucky is a good example.

“They have really good length on defense, great size," Kiffin said. "They are able to play with Georgia … they very much look like an NFL defense, from the structure but also from a size standpoint, coverages and techniques. That is why a lot of people struggle with them. It’s like NFL games, it’s hard to make yards, it’s hard to run the ball (against the Wildcats)."

Kentucky has allowed 74.8 rushing yards per game, the third-best mark in the SEC.

Deone Walker is a huge part of Kentucky's run-stopping front. The defensive tackle checks in at 6-foot-6, 345 pounds. He will provide a test unlike any other the Rebels offensive line has faced this season.

Lane Kiffin is going for his 100th college coaching win

Kiffin has a shot at a milestone on Saturday. Don't expect a hearty celebration if he records his 100th college coaching win.

“That’s a lot of places, a lot of really good coaches and players to help do that," Kiffin said. "I don’t know, I don’t have much thoughts on that. This is a really big game against a really good team. We have gone down to the wire both times we have played them. So, we need to prepare really well and play really well."

Kiffin is in his 13th season coaching at the NCAA level.

Ole Miss vs Kentucky score prediction

Ole Miss 30, Kentucky 10: The Rebels may face their first test of the season, but everything they have displayed in 2024 has indicated they won't fold. If the Rebels' rushing game gets swallowed up, Dart can cut lose. The Rebels should be able to pull out a one-dimensional win where they lean on Dart if needed.

Sam Hutchens covers Ole Miss for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at Shutchens@gannett.com or reach him on X at @Sam_Hutchens_

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Ole Miss football vs Kentucky score prediction, scouting report