Keys to the Game: Ole Miss Rebels vs Tulane Green Wave

OXFORD, Miss. — Ole Miss football advanced to 3-0 on the season last Saturday with a 41-35 shootout win over the Arkansas Razorbacks. This week, the Rebels will attempt to stay undefeated as they host the Tulane Green Wave who are also trying to remain unbeaten.

In this undefeated battle, the history of this game sways in favor of the Rebels as they hold a 45-28 record over the Green Wave, including a 13-2 record when the game takes place in Oxford.

Two years ago Ole Miss traveled to New Orleans for the last meeting in this storied rivalry. In that matchup, the Rebels left New Orleans with a 37-20, come-from-behind win.

Here are three keys for Ole Miss in the Rebels’ 74th meeting with Tulane.

Win the Turnover Battle

Ole Miss is currently sitting at a -2 turnover margin for the season, with 4 lost turnovers in the first two games of the year. The Rebels’ turnover margin places them at 97th in the FBS, compared to Tulane’s 3rd-ranked +6 margin.

However, last week Ole Miss played clean — and TJ Dottery forced that all-important late fumble that Wydett Williams recovered to secure the win.

Ole Miss may not have come away with that crucial SEC win last week without the turnover as the Razorbacks fumbled on the Ole Miss 27-yard-line, down just 6 points as the clock ticked deep in the fourth quarter.

The turnover battle is always important, but with both these squads very talented offensively, whichever defense can come away with more turnovers will make the difference in the game.

Third-down conversions

Third down conversions for the Ole Miss offense and third-down stops on defense are pivotal when you have such volatile offenses playing.

Tulane ranks 88th in defensive third down percentage, allowing opponents to convert 39.5% of the time. Ole Miss ranks 27th on offense, converting on 50% of third downs.

Ole Miss will look to keep Tulane’s offense off the field, something they were not able to do against Arkansas. The Hogs and QB Taylen Green converted on 8-of-11 third downs last Saturday. Ole Miss, fortunately for the Rebels, was able to match that with 8-of-12 third-down conversions.

Many experts suggest Tulane’s QB Jake Retzlaff is one of the top three in the country, so, obviously, the less time he’s on the field, the better.

Win the Ground Game

Finally, Ole Miss needs to establish the running game again. Last week, Arkansas really stacked the box and made Trinidad Chambliss and Ole Miss win through the air.

Now that they have proven they can do that, if Chambliss is in at QB, Tulane will be forced to adapt, as he will look for the running lanes and he and running back Kewan Lacy can make a major impact on the game.

Tulane, on average, has allowed over 220 rushing yards a game through their first three matchups which could mean Ole Miss has an opportunity to run all over the field.

Last week against the Razorbacks was Lacy’s first without reaching 100 yards; however, with this game likely coming down to a close physical end, Lacy could be primed for his third 100 yard game of the season. Look for multiple rushing TDs from Lacy and Chambliss.

A Look Ahead

Ole Miss vs Tulane is set for 2:30 pm CT at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium as each looks to end the other’s unbeaten streak.

Fans can tune in via ESPN or stream it through the ESPN app.