Ole Miss Second-Half Season Preview/Predictions

Realistic prediction on the season: 9-3. Miracle prediction of course would be 11-1, but I don’t see that happening, and I hate to say that because I think Alabama could lose to both Tennessee and to LSU, with the LSU game an almost obvious loss for the Crimson Tide. Here’s how I see the individual games breaking down:

Auburn

After this bye week, Ole Miss will tilt with Auburn on Oct. 21 at Jordan-Hare. Of the 45 games these two teams have played, Ole Miss has only won 11 of them, winning about 1/4 of the time. Rebs win one out of four with against the Tigers. Not good. People who are confident about this game aren’t paying attention, either to history, or to how Auburn took Georgia down to the wire a couple of weeks ago. Playing at Jordan-Hare is no trip to Cleveland. Auburn fans are rabid and loud. Add to it that this is a Hugh Freeze-coached Auburn team, and I promise you nothing would delight Freeze more than to stick it to Ole Miss in his first season at the helm. Freeze will find a wrinkle to exploit, and you can bet the farm on that. Add to it that all things being equal, look at the two-deep on the lines. Auburn wins here, not by much, but they defintely have a deeper two-deep. I don’t like it, but I do not see Ole Miss winning this game.

Vanderbilt

You want some cold water doused on your Ole Miss fever? How’s this: All time record against Vanderbilt, Ole Miss 40 wins; Vanderbilt 39 wins. No shit. Any Rebels fan who actually gives a shit ought to really meditate on that record because that’s the historical reality. Ole Miss is on par with Vandy. Just saying. Get some real expectations. That said, Ole Miss should defeat the Commodores easily.

Texas A&M

Gut feeling, Ole Miss takes this one at home. I’ve watched A&M play three times this season, and at no point did they wow me. They do have some good line play, better than average, and honestly if I was just going by the two-deep, I would have to lean to A&M, but I think that Kiffin just has their number. I’m calling this one a win for the Rebels.

Georgia

Do you believe in miracles? Do you believe Jesus Christ is the son of God? The only way Ole Miss takes a win at Athens is if Jesus himself personally intervenes. I suppose stranger things have happened. Easy call here, though. This is a loss. Georgia’s two-deep could probably compete with lesser NFL teams. Nobody hates this more than me. If you want a positive, note here that Georgia does not own Ole Miss like Alabama does, or even like Auburn does. If you tied me down, I’d say Ole Miss has a better chance of winning this one than the Auburn game. That’s if you want something to feel optimistic about. Doesn’t matter, though, because you cannot get around Georgia’s roster. It is very good.

Louisiana-Monroe

Win.

Mississippi State

State really sucks this year sans Mike Leach. Rudderless. I know this one is usually anyone’s guess, but this is an easy call. Ole Miss ought to destroy the Bulldogs at Starkville by a wide margin.

That gives Ole Miss a 9-3 season and a trip to a decent bowl game. Adjust your expectations, I say. That is a spectacular season for the Rebels, and I will take it any year.

Hotty Toddy!