The College Football Playoff committee seemed to have a thing for rematches, with the first round delivering another battle between the Tulane Green Wave and Ole Miss Rebels. Fittingly, this College Football Playoff matchup features two teams that lost their head coaches in December.
Let’s immediately dive into our College Football Playoff predictions for Tulane vs Ole Miss
Trinidad Chambliss Puts up 400+ Total Yards
The departure of Lane Kiffin has certainly had an effect on the expectations many have for the Rebels offense in this meeting. We’re not all that concerned, especially with offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. sticking around for the College Football Playoff. What matters is that Ole Miss quarterback Trindad Chambliss is facing a Green Wave defense that ranked 121st in pass defense this season, surrendering 255.2 passing yards per game and 7.47 yards per attempt with a 139.02 QB rating. Mississippi’s offense will be looking to prove that it can be just as explosive without Kiffin. Plus, this could be a showcase game for Chambliss. He finishes with four total touchdowns and eclipses 400 total yards of offense.
Related: College Football Playoff Preview, Alabama vs Oklahoma Predictions
Jake Retzlaff Throws 2 Interceptions
Last time Jake Retzlaff made the trip to Mississippi, he had more than twice as many incompletions (12) as completed passes (five) and averaged just 3.3 yards per pass attempt. The good news for Tulane is that we expect its quarterback to connect on more of his passes in the College Football Playoff. However, some of those passes will go to the Rebels defense. This season, Retzlaff has a 0-4 TD-INT ratio when pressured with an alarming 5.6 percent Turnover-Worthy Play rate (PFF). In his first game as head coach, Pete Golding will bring the heat, and that will result in Retzlaff getting picked off twice.
Kewan Lacy Punches In 2 Scores
Entering the College Football Playoff, Tulane ranks 30th in run defense having allowed just 120.4 rushing yards per game with a 3.51 yards-per-carry average. That’s including the 241 yards and 5.7 yards-per-carry average Ole Miss put up on the Green Wave in September. We do think there’s a path to Chambliss and Kewan Lacy both eclipsing the 100-yard mark, but it’s a bit more of a long shot. Instead, Lacy puts up 80-plus yards on the ground and finds the end zone twice.
Ole Miss Rebels Dominate Tulane in CFP Blowout
Pete Golding will win his first game as head coach in dominating fashion, ironically giving himself more career College Football Playoff wins as a head coach than Lane Kiffin. Ole Miss is just far too talented for Tulane to overcome, especially with Jon Sumrall’s attention divided between this matchup and his duties as the Florida Gators head coach. This one will be over before halftime.
- Prediction: Ole Miss Rebels 38, Tulane Green Wave 14
