Missouri @ Ole Miss Preview And Prediction

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No. 13 Missouri travels to No. 9 Ole Miss for a massive SEC showdown. Can the Tigers pull off another upset, or will the Rebels defend Oxford?

Two of the SEC’s most intriguing teams are set to collide Saturday afternoon as No. 13 Missouri (5-1) travels to Oxford to face No. 9 Ole Miss (4-1).

Both programs are coming off dominant victories. Missouri dismantled Texas A&M 27-6, while Ole Miss embarrassed Vanderbilt 52-17.

With both teams sitting at 2-1 in conference play, Saturday’s matchup could have major implications for the SEC Championship race and College Football Playoff.

Missouri: The Tigers Are Legitimate Contenders

Eli Drinkwitz has Missouri playing some outstanding football, particularly on defense.

The Tigers are allowing just 17.7 points per game and rank eighth nationally in rushing defense, surrendering approximately 78 yards per contest.

Offensively, former Ole Miss quarterback Austin Simmons has thrown for 1,434 yards, 14 touchdowns, and just one interception. Now, he gets an opportunity to prove himself against his former program.

But Missouri’s biggest weapon has been running back Jamal Roberts.

Roberts has rushed for 828 yards and eight touchdowns, including consecutive 200-yard performances. Against an Ole Miss defense allowing 176.4 rushing yards per game, he could be in for another massive afternoon.

Former Ole Miss wide receiver Cayden Lee has also been outstanding, recording 42 receptions for 616 yards and five touchdowns.

If Missouri establishes its rushing attack early, the Tigers could control this game.

Ole Miss: Can Trinidad Chambliss Carry the Rebels?

Pete Golding has Ole Miss back in the national conversation following last season’s historic playoff run.

Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss continues to be one of the most exciting players in college football, throwing for 1,435 yards and 11 touchdowns through five games.

Wide receiver Deuce Alexander has emerged as his favorite target, recording 32 receptions for 503 yards and five touchdowns.

The Rebels are averaging 38.8 points and nearly 434 yards per game, but their defense remains a major concern.

Ole Miss is allowing 28 points per game, including an embarrassing 52-point performance against Florida earlier this season.

And facing Missouri’s balanced offense certainly won’t make things easier.

However, the Rebels have been outstanding at home, winning all three of their games in Oxford this season.

How Each Team Wins

Missouri must establish Roberts early and force Ole Miss into a physical, defensive battle. If the Tigers can dominate time of possession and limit explosive plays from Chambliss, they have an excellent opportunity to leave Oxford with a victory.

For Ole Miss, everything starts with its passing attack. Missouri’s defense has been elite against the run, meaning Chambliss will likely need to carry the offense.

The Rebels must also force Simmons into mistakes and prevent Roberts from consistently reaching the second level.

Prediction

This matchup has all the ingredients for one of the best SEC games of the weekend.

Missouri’s rushing attack should give the Rebels serious problems, and I expect Roberts to surpass 100 yards once again.

However, I trust Chambliss and the Ole Miss offense to deliver when it matters most.

The Rebels’ explosive passing attack, combined with a sold-out Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, should be enough to overcome Missouri’s physicality.

Expect a back-and-forth contest that comes down to the final minutes, with Chambliss engineering a late scoring drive to secure the victory.

Final Score: No. 9 Ole Miss 34, No. 13 Missouri 31

Ole Miss survives a major scare and keeps its SEC Championship hopes alive.

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