Jul 14, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Ole Miss Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin speaks to the media during SEC Media Day at Omni Atlanta Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Godfree-Imagn Images Jordan Godfree-Imagn Images

Expert Computer Model Predicts Score of Ole Miss Football vs. Georgia State in Week 1

Originally posted on Ole Miss Rebels on SI | By Zack Nagy | Last updated Aug 24, 2025 6:53 PM ET

Lane Kiffin and the Ole Miss Rebels will take the field at Vaught Hemingway Stadium next Saturday for a Week 1 clash against the Georgia State Panthers.

After a productive offseason of retooling the roster, Kiffin and Co. will debut the No. 1 Transfer Portal Class in the nation alongside multiple returning pieces.

Ole Miss is set to square off against Sun Belt foe Georgia State to open the season with redshirt-sophomore quarterback Austin Simmons getting the nod in his first career start.

Offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. has praised his quarterback and the growth he's made this offseason after taking on QB1 duties in Oxford.

What did Weis Jr. have to say about Simmons and what he's seen from the new signal-caller in the Magnolia State?

Ole Miss' Take: Weis Weighs In

"Yes, it’s a huge process, right? I think Jaxson (Dart), it’s interesting comparing Austin to Jaxson because we had Jaxson on three separate years and honestly all three were totally different players, you know what I mean?

"So, it’s interesting with Austin, he’s had two years here to develop but he’s never played full-time. He’s never been the guy, the starter, all the things that come with that. I would say overall he’s on a great track. He’s certainly much further ahead than Jaxson was when he first got here in 2022 because that was Jaxson’s first year in the system compared to Austin having those years built in.

“It’s certainly a collective effort from Coach Kiffin obviously and the great details and mentorship that he can give Austin and his experience throughout the years. Coach (Joe) Judge does an unbelievable job of mentoring the quarterbacks, getting their minds ready, prepping them, teaching them coverages, defenses, all the different things that you need to do at the quarterback position.

"I’m very grateful that we have Coach Kiffin, we have Coach Judge, we have several other staff members, Coach Fisher (Ray) and Dane Stevens that work with our quarterbacks and do a phenomenal job developing that position.”

Now, the score predictions are coming in with Bill Connelly's SP+ prediction machine locking in a score and win percentage for the Ole Miss Rebels.

SP+'s Take: Ole Miss Cruises to a Win

Ole Miss will enter Week 1 with a 99 percent chance to win, according to SP+, with Simmons looking to get a victory in his first career start.

The score prediction for next Saturday at Vaught Hemingway Stadium favors the Ole Miss Rebels in a 47-9 win. Kiffin's crew will enter the matchup as 38-point favorites.

Ole Miss will debut a reconstructed roster in Week 1 with all eyes on the Rebels as expectations rise in Oxford.

This article first appeared on Ole Miss Rebels on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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