Tulane vs. Ole Miss prediction, odds, CFP first round pick

It’s a rematch of an early season matchup as Tulane hosts Ole Miss in the first round of the playoffs. Time to continue our college football quota series with Tulane-Ole’s Miss CFP prediction and first-round pick.

Tulane is 11-2 on the season. They opened the season 3-0 with wins over Northwestern, South Alabama and Duke before losing to Ole Miss 45-10. They would then go on to win three more before losing to UTSA on the road, 48-26. The Green Wave would then win four straight to end the regular season, before facing North Texas in the American Conference Championship. The Green Wave dominated the game, leading 24-7 at the end of the first half and winning 34-21. However, the team is dealing with the loss of its head coach, as Tulane’s Jon Sumrall has accepted the Florida job. He will still coach the playoffs for Tulane.

Meanwhile, Ole Miss is 11-1 on the season. They opened the season 6-0 with wins over Arkansas, Tulane and LSU. The Rebels also survived a three-point win over Washington State. They would lose their only game of the season on the road against Georgia, losing 43-35 on the road to the Bulldogs. Since then, they have won five straight games, including wins over Oklahoma and their rival, Mississippi State. Ole Miss will be the interim coach in this game, as Pete Golding takes over for Lane Kiffin.

Tulane struggled against Ole Miss the first time they faced off. Tulane was down 23-3 at the end of the first half. They would be outscored 45-3 until scoring their first touchdown of the game and losing the game 45-10.

college football betting odds courtesy of DraftKings.

Tulane vs. Ole Miss Odds

Tulane: +17.5 (-112)

Ole Miss: -17.5 (-108)

via: 56.5 (-112)

Under: 56.5 (-108)

Tulane vs. Ole Miss Key Injuries

Tulane- CB Dorian Jackson (Questionable), KB Brendan Sullivan (Questionable), RB Maurie Turner (Questionable), S Carson Klein (Questionable), DL Gerros Generson (Out), LB Dickson Agu (Questionable)

Ole Miss- CB Antoio Kite (Questionable), LB Ramond Collins (Questionable)

Tulane vs. Ole Miss A&M Betting Trends

– Tulana is 6-7 against the spread this year, but 3-3 on the road.

– Ole Miss is 7-5 against the spread this year, and 5-3 at home this season.

– When the outsider, Tulane has covered in two of the three games, but did not cover against Ole Miss the last time they faced off.

– When the favorite, Ole Miss, is 6-4 against the spread and 2-2 in its last four games as a favorite.

– The bottom was the right side for Tulane games in nine of 13 matches, including four in a row.

– More has scored in six of the 12 games for Ole Miss.

Keys to the Tulane vs. Ole Miss Matchup

The key for Tulane will be the play of Jake Retzlaff. The offense has been solid this year, but not phenomenal. They are 43rd in points per game and 32nd in yards per game. They are 50th in rushing and 51st in passing yards per game. Retzlaf, BIU transfer, it’s been amazing this year. He passed for 2,862 yards with 14 touchdowns this year. Still, he threw six interceptions. Meanwhile, he was terrific on the ground, running for 610 yards and finding the end zone 16 times. He had his worst game of the year against Ole Miss, completing just five of 17 passes without a touchdown through the air or on the ground. Still, he ran for a touchdown in seven straight games.

However, the Ole Miss defense has been stout this year. they are 36th in opponent points per game and 45th in opponent yards per game. They were solid against the run, sitting at 41st, but even better against the pass, 27th in the FBS. This is where Vidett Williams Jr. will come into play. The safety has been excellent this year, with eight pass breakups, three interceptions and a forced fumble. If he can be a ballhawk in the secondary, it could be a long day for Retzlaf.

Meanwhile, the key for Ole Miss will be quarterback Trinidad Chambliss. The offense has been terrific this year, ranking 12th in points per game while ranking third in yards per game. They are 21st in rushing but sixth in passing. Chambliss didn’t begin the season as the starter until the third game, as he earned the job with the help of Austin Simmons’ injury. He passed for 3,016 yards and 18 touchdowns this year, while finding the end zone on the ground six times. He has also been stellar of late. In the last three games, he threw for 969 yards and eight touchdowns with just one interception. He threw three interceptions all year.

Tulane’s defense has been good this year, but not outstanding. They are 42nd in opponent points per game, while they are 63rd in opponent yards per game. Further, they are 29th against the run but 118th against the pass this year. If Tulane is going to win this game, it will start with solid play from the secondary. Jaheim Johnson is a key player there. He has eight pass breakups this year, along with his four interceptions and forced fumble.

Tulane vs. Ole Miss Prediction and Pick

This is the second meeting between these two teams. In the first game, Ole Miss had a great run on third down and kept the Tulane defense on the field. Tulane was better the rest of the way in defensive third-down conversions, but still finished 73rd in the nation. Meanwhile, Ole Miss was 27th in third down conversions this year on offense. Adding to the problems was the rebel defense against Retzlaf. The Tulane quarterback completed just five of 17 passes for 56 yards in the game. It was his worst game of the year, and he will be better in this one. However, the difference in talent between these two teams is huge. Unless they get in the way off the field Lane Kiffin is leaving the program cause trouble, the Rebels should run away with this game.

Final Tulane vs. Ole Miss Prediction and Pick: Ole Miss -17.5 (-108) and Over 56.5 (-112)