Week 4 Staff Predictions: Ole Miss vs. Tulane

OXFORD, Miss. — Once again, the Tulane Green Wave makes a trip to Oxford to take on the Ole Miss Rebels for the 16th time in the two programs’ histories. 

The Rebels are 2-0 against the Green Wave in the Lane Kiffin era and 40-27 all-time. Despite the success for Ole Miss in this series, the vibe of this game has a different feeling. Former Troy head coach Jon Sumrall brings a physical aspect to the matchup and Tulane comes in as perhaps the Group of 5 playoff favorite.

On the other hand, Ole Miss is looking to add another one to the win column and move into the heart of SEC play with everything to lose — but also everything to win.

With that being said, here is The Rebel Walk staff giving their best shots at predicting what should be another classic in this rivalry between Ole Miss and Arkansas:

Adam Brown

Score prediction: Ole Miss 35, Tulane 24

X-factor player: Trinidad Chambliss

Look for Chambliss to have another productive game behind center with more than 300 yards passing.

Bold prediction: The defense has two or more takeaways from Tulane’s offense to put the game away. Tulane comes in averaging 417.7 yards of offense and running the ball for 222 yards through the first three games of the season.

Billy Kuhl

Score Prediction: Ole Miss 48, Tulane 35

X-Factor Player: The secondary

Ole Miss has gotten off to an undefeated start; however, last week against Arkansas, the secondary looked very shaky in play recognition which allowed Arkansas to go up and down the field all game. I think Tulane will pose threats in the air and the Rebels secondary will determine the outcome of this game. 

Bold Prediction: Ole Miss will not turn the ball over at all

The Rebels put on a very clean performance last week and I think whichever quarterback that goes out there this week will play another clean game as Ole Miss wins the ever so crucial turnover battle. 

Daylan Flowers

Score prediction: Ole Miss 34, Tulane 21

X factor: Kapena Gushiken

He’s looked very comfortable through the first three games, as if he’s been in Pete’s system for three years. Smart player, with a lot of athleticism to stop the pass, and also provides great help to the front seven in terms of helping defend the run. The Ole Miss secondary is also looking for the first interception of the season, and he may provide it for them.

Bold prediction: The Ole Miss offensive line allows zero sacks. For some this may not be bold, but the group played pretty strongly against Arkansas. I know the Hogs don’t have the best defensive line in the country, but I saw the Rebels’ o-line take care of the basics against Arkansas, and I think that momentum will continue against Tulane

David Walker

Score Prediction: Ole Miss 42, Tulane 28

X-Factor Player: Trinidad Chambliss

I think Trinidad will be even more explosive than he was in his first start against Arkansas, with a game under his belt and having had great success. I don’t see a G-5 defense slowing him down. 

Bold Prediction: Trinidad gains 100 yards on the ground and 350+ through the air.

Just as it was last year, Ole Miss is among the very top teams in yards-per-completion, currently averaging 16.8, regardless of who the quarterback has been

Donna Sprabery

Score Prediction: Ole Miss 38, Tulane 27

There’s mutual respect between the two sidelines. Tulane head coach Jon Sumrall praised Monte Kiffin this week, crediting the legendary defensive mind for his influence on coaching fundamentals and discipline. Lane Kiffin returned the favor, calling Tulane “one of the better-coached teams in the whole country.”

X-Factor Player: Trinidad Chambliss, Kewan Lacy and Zxavian Harris

Trinidad Chambliss — Needs to build on last week’s poise and protect the football. His ability to extend plays could be the difference.

Kewan Lacy — A breakout game from the running back would help keep Tulane’s defense honest.

Zxavian Harris — The defensive tackle will be vital in plugging gaps and pressuring Retzlaff up the middle.

Bold Prediction: Ole Miss wins with depth and home crowd

Tulane will test Ole Miss with its physicality and discipline, but the Rebels’ depth and home-field advantage should prove decisive.

Evie Van Pelt

Score Prediction: Ole Miss 37, Tulane 21

X-Factor Player: Trinidad Chambliss

Coming off last Saturday’s performance against Arkansas, where he went 21-for-29 for 353 yards through the air and 62 on the ground, Chambliss will look to show he can do just as well when the opponent has game-film on him. You can bet defensive-minded head coach Jon Sumrall will want to do whatever he can to stop a repeat performance. If he spies Chambliss, that will take away a defensive player in the pass defense for the Green Wave, leaving them vulnerable to passes in the middle or across the middle —something Chambliss has shown he can complete. 

Bold Prediction: Chambliss goes for 400 plus total yards…again

I expect Trinidad is going to prove he wasn’t a one-hit wonder. Look for him to thrown for 350+ yards again and rush for more than 50.

Jacob Quaglino

Score prediction: Ole Miss 35, Tulane 27

X-Factor Player: Suntarine Perkins

As Ole Miss gears up to welcome an old friend into Oxford in the Tulane Green Wave, the Rebels will be faced with a must-win game if the goal is to make an appearance in the College Football Playoff for the first time ever. The Green Wave will bring a talented offense to Oxford that the Rebels cannot take for granted, as it’s one that has averaged 30 points per game so far and 418 yards.

The Rebel defense will need to play significantly better than it did against Arkansas when they surrendered 221 rushing yards and 526 yards of total offense, and left far too many receivers wide open in space. Tulane thus far has averaged 222 rushing yards per game, which has been the main source of their impressive offensive statistics through this point in the season. If the Ole Miss defensive line and linebackers—led by star Suntarine Perkins—can contain the Tulane running game, there will be no path to victory for the Green Wave.

Bold Prediction: Rebels Win, but it’s closer than most think it will be

Aside from the win against an inferior Georgia State team, the Rebels have not exactly looked impressive so far, despite the 3-0 record. Starting QB Austin Simmons is not lacking in talent by any means, but has struggled to take care of the ball, and the Arkansas game made it abundantly clear that Pete Golding’s young defense still has quite a bit of room to improve.

With a Tulane team that has a very good offense strolling into Oxford, nothing can be taken for granted, and now is the time to hope that Simmons has learned from his mistakes and remains calm, poised and doesn’t try to force throws that aren’t there—especially when under pressure, as it’s always better to take a sack than throw an interception. However, while this is still a maturing Rebel squad, Ole Miss will have home field advantage and boasts one of the nation’s best offenses coached by one of the nation’s best offensive minds. Don’t be on the lookout for a blowout, but do be on the lookout for a Rebel victory. 

Jordan Merritt

Score Prediction: Ole Miss 31, Tulane 21

X-Factor Player: Kewan Lacy

It feels like whoever’s running game performs the best could be on the winning side. Kewan Lacy has been a revelation for the Rebels after three games, and he could be the difference maker in this one.

Bold Prediction: Trinidad Chambliss and Kewan Lacy score all the touchdowns for Ole Miss as the ground game gets the job done.

Kam Wicker

Score Prediction: Ole Miss 45, Tulane 27

X-Factor Player: Tahj Chambers and Jaden Yates

Jake Retzlaff got to Tulane after the transfer window closed but has made his impact in the Big Easy immediately. A talent Green Wave offense will prove to be a problem at times for the Rebel defense, and they will need someone other than the ‘givens’ to step up. I expect Chambers and Yates to make their prescience felt with Dottery alongside them.

Bold Prediction: Lacy rushes for 100 plus yards

Chambliss is coming off a ‘one-of-a-kind’ performance against the Razorbacks, so, I am expecting the Sumrall defense to be game planning for a true dual-threat quarterback. Now, Chambliss will get his, but expect the Green Wave game plan to open up running lanes for one of the top backs in the SEC.

Sierra Gann

Score Prediction: Ole Miss 34, Tulane 23

X-Factor Player: Kewan Lacy

If Ole Miss leans on the run game with Lacy, he can control the game and wear Tulane down going into the 4th quarter.

Bold Prediction: Ole Miss scores on defense or special teams.

Zach Moreth

Score Prediction: Ole Miss 27, Tulane 23

X-Factor Player: Trinidad Chambliss

Ole Miss will host Tulane this weekend in a game between two elite college football coaches in Lane Kiffin and Jon Sumrall. It’s going to be an offensive game plan playing to the strengths of Trinidad Chambliss.

Bold Prediction: Chambliss TD to Lee and an Ole Miss interception

I have Chambliss throwing a touchdown to Cayden Lee. Defensively, give me an Ole Miss interception.

Up next:

The week 4 matchup between Ole Miss and Tulane kicks off Saturday, Sept. 20 at 2:30 p.m. CT on ESPN. Stay tuned in with The Rebel Walk for all your game coverage.