Tulane vs Ole Miss: A High Stakes Rematch

The College Football Playoff is finally here, kicking off this weekend. 12 teams all chasing after one goal. And it starts with the first round, featuring four games. Two of them have just about everyone intrigued. And two of them, well, a lot of people are expecting blowouts. Tulane vs Ole Miss falls into that latter category.

The two teams have already met once this season, with the Rebels getting the easy win, 45-10. However, since then, plenty has changed with both programs. So who has the edge this time, and which team will advance to take on Georgia in the quarterfinals?

Previewing Tulane vs Ole Miss

How Does Tulane Keep Their Season Alive?

For the Green Wave, things won’t be easy. But if they want to have a chance, it’s going to have to start on the offensive side of the ball. More importantly, they’re going to have to improve the passing game drastically from the first meeting between these two teams. In that one, quarterback Jake Ratzlaff only completed five of his 17 passes, for only 56 yards. It was far and away his worst performance of the season. Needless to say, Tulane’s pass protection is going to have to be much better. The good news for the Green Wave is that Retzlaff has thrown for at least 200 yards in seven of their last nine games. This implies that the offensive line has improved over the course of the season.

The other positive is that they ran the ball well in the first meeting against the Rebels. In that matchup, Tulane racked up 178 yards on the ground and averaged nearly five yards per carry. If they can have that type of success on the ground, they may be able to stick around in this one. However, if there is one point of hesitation for the Green Wave rushing attack, it’s that Retzlaff is also their leading rusher on the season. They’re going to have to have someone else step up on the big stage if they want to pull off the upset.

On the defensive side, it’s going to be a bend but don’t break mentality. They’re taking on an Ole Miss team that is third in the FBS in total offense. So it’s safe to assume they’re going to give up quite a few yards, and likely some points. However, in the AAC Championship Game, Tulane took on a North Texas team that leads the country in total offense. In that one, they only gave up 21 points in the win. The problem? They gave up over 400 yards of offense. The difference was the Mean Green’s five turnovers. If the Green Wave wants to advance, the defense is going to have to play better than they did in that one.

How Can Ole Miss Continue to Have Success Against Tulane?

For the Rebels, the game plan should be similar to what they did in the first meeting back in September. On the defensive side of the ball, the first key is to keep Retzlaff in the pocket. Force him to beat you through the air. If they can contain him and force him to throw the ball, the Green Wave offense may ultimately struggle. Yes, the Rebels’ rushing defense needs to improve, but in the first meeting between these two, that didn’t prove to be a difference maker. And with Pete Golding now the new head coach, being the former defensive coordinator, the hope would be that the defense doesn’t see much in terms of a regression.

The big question for Ole Miss is going to be on the offensive side of the football. That’s where the departure of Lane Kiffin is likely to be felt. The good news is that they did manage to bring offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr back through the duration of the playoff run. Having that connection should be good for the offense, especially quarterback Trinidad Chambliss. Against a Tulane defense that ranks 122nd in passing yards allowed, the key should be to get Chambliss in a rhythm early. If they can have early success through the air, the rushing attack with Kewan Lacy should open up. This would allow them to largely dictate and control the pace of the game.

With all the drama surrounding the coaching change, if Ole Miss can avoid a falloff on the offensive side of the ball, there’s a good chance they find a way to win their 15th straight over the Green Wave.

Tulane vs Ole Miss: Predictions

As was shown in the first meeting between these two this year, Ole Miss should be able to control most aspects of this matchup. However, with the coaching changes and with the higher stakes of this meeting, there are plenty of unknowns. Especially seeing as it’s the first ever playoff appearance for both schools.

That being said, in the end, expect the Ole Miss defense to once again be the difference maker. Despite the way the first meeting went, it’s a game that could easily be close through most of the contest. However, as the game goes on, expect the size and physicality of the Rebels to prove to be too much for the Green Wave.

We don’t get a blowout in this one, but it should ultimately end up with the same result: an Ole Miss win. And that means the Rebels advancing to take on Georgia in New Orleans on New Year’s Day.

Ole Miss 34, Tulane 20

How to Watch Tulane vs Ole Miss

Date: Saturday, December 20; Time: 3:30 pm ET

Location: Vaught-Hemingway Stadium

TV: TNT