PREVIEW: Ole Miss, Tulane Set for Rematch in First-Ever CFP Game for Both Teams

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OXFORD, Miss. — Well, the wait is nearing its conclusion. The first-ever College Football Playoff game featuring the Ole Miss Rebels is now a mere two days away, and the moment has arrived for the program to block out the noise, reset its focus, and compete on college football’s biggest stage.

Defensive coordinator Pete Golding has now taken the helm following the exit of the Rebels’ former coach and is tasked with stabilizing the program and keeping a talented roster focused on what remains to be accomplished. Ole Miss looks to block out the noise and channel its energy into a sharp, disciplined performance.

On paper, the matchup strongly favors the Rebels, as September’s meeting with the Green Wave—one in which Ole Miss overwhelmed Tulane, 45–10—largely mirrored the gap between the two programs throughout the season, and remains fresh on the minds of both Rebels fans and the team and staff itself. Ole Miss enters their first playoff game as a 17.5-point favorite, and while some may have wondered whether the former coach’s departure will affect the on-field performance, fans and analysts have every reason to believe that the Rebels will fare just fine on Saturday.

Offensively, Ole Miss has been one of the most explosive teams in the nation. The Rebels rank third in the FBS in total offense, averaging 498.1 yards per game, while also sitting third nationally in passing offense at 309.6 yards per contest.

Balance has been a defining feature as well, with Ole Miss averaging 188.5 rushing yards per game and ranking 10th nationally in scoring offense at 37.3 points per game.

That production could spell trouble for a Tulane defense that has struggled throughout the season. The Green Wave surrender 375.5 yards per game and 255.2 passing yards per game, numbers that place them among the weakest defensive units in this year’s CFP. Against an Ole Miss offense loaded with playmakers, the matchup appears heavily tilted in one direction.

Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss has emerged as one of the SEC’s breakout stars, averaging 251 passing yards per game, the fourth-highest mark among quarterbacks in the conference. His ability to stretch the field vertically and operate efficiently in the Rebels’ fast-paced offense has been central to Ole Miss’s success, and Saturday’s matchup could present another opportunity for a statement performance.

In the backfield, star running back Kewan Lacy will add another layer of difficulty for Tulane’s defense. Lacy averages 106.6 rushing yards per game, second-most among SEC running backs, while also posting an impressive five yards per carry. His physical running style and consistency between the tackles give Ole Miss the ability to control tempo when needed, particularly if the Rebels build an early lead.

Despite the favorable numbers, Ole Miss is not without a few concerns. The Rebels’ defense has been frequently cited as the team’s Achilles’ heel throughout the season, struggling at times to find consistency and close out drives, notably with a secondary that has at times this season had a tendency to leave opposing receivers wide open in space. It will certainly be critical for the Rebels to avoid complacency at all costs when welcoming an 11-2 conference champion to Oxford.

Tulane’s offense, while not having had to go through murderer’s row to get to the playoff, is certainly capable of moving the ball. The Green Wave average 410.7 yards per game, including 240.5 yards through the air and 170.2 yards on the ground, respectable figures that should attract attention. While those numbers were compiled against American Athletic Conference opponents rather than the weekly grind of the SEC or any other major conference, they nonetheless underscore Tulane’s ability to capitalize if Ole Miss’s defense falters on a drive or two.

For the Rebels, the key will be maintaining discipline and avoiding the lapses that have plagued them at times during the year. Allowing Tulane to hang around could invite pressure.

Adding to the stakes is the setting itself. The Grove will certainly be the most electric it’s ever been, as Rebel fans embrace the opportunity to host a College Football Playoff game. Ole Miss has been dominant at home as of late, posting a 35–3 record in its last 38 games in Oxford. Those three losses came by a combined 11 points, a testament to how notoriously difficult it’s been for opposing teams to leave Oxford victorious.

The combination of playing at home and with a chip on their shoulder, offensive firepower, and with a massive program milestone finally realized will make things mighty difficult for Tulane. While nothing in college football can ever be taken for granted (especially in the playoffs) the Rebels appear well-positioned to move on to a Sugar Bowl date with Georgia come Saturday.

If Golding’s squad can stay focused, motivated, play to its strengths, and avoid being distracted by any off-field drama, all signs point to a Rebel victory. Saturday’s game will not only determine if the Rebels can punch their ticket to the Big Easy against a team from the Big Easy but also offer a glimpse into how this program responds when tested in the most unconventional of circumstances.

The Rebels will square off against Tulane on Saturday, December 20 at 2:30 p.m. central on TNT and HBO Max.