Ole Miss would have been the play either way, but with the line sliding under three scores, now is the time to pounce. Beyond the Rebels winning this meeting by 35 points a few months ago, they are intrinsically motivated to flex after being ditched by Lane Kiffin. That will be enough to soar in one game; it’s tough to see Ole Miss advancing past this stage. Still, while Tulane has improved as the season progressed with its transfer-heavy roster coming together, the talent and big-game experience differentials will be too much to overcome – especially on the road, even without Kiffin on the sidelines.
Tulane got absolutely obliterated in their first meeting earlier in the season. Since then, both teams' coaches have been hired by other programs, but Jon Summerall has decided to stay and coach the team through the playoffs. And what we saw from Tulane defensively in the AAC title game could be a sign of things to come here against the Rebels. Look for the Green Wave to fare much better this time around with everything on the line, embracing the role of the G5 underdog.
