Will Ole Miss, Pete Golding get first CFP win vs. Tulane? Our prediction

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OXFORD − Ole Miss football is hoping for a repeat performance against Tulane in the first round of the College Football Playoff.

The No. 5 Rebels (11-1) host No. 21 Tulane (11-2) on Dec. 20 (2:30 p.m., TNT) in the first round of the CFP.

Ole Miss beat Tulane 45-10 on Sept. 20 at Vaught–Hemingway Stadium.

Much has changed since then. The Green Wave have won five consecutive games, including a 34-21 win against North Texas in the American Conference championship game. Tulane is planning a “revenge tour.”

The CFP quarterfinals and the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1 against No. 3 Georgia is on the line. Here’s what to know.

Jake Retzlaff needs to be a better passer in rematch

Passing isn’t Tulane quarterback Jake Retzlaff’s overwhelming strength, but he needs to be solid to beat Ole Miss. That wasn’t the case on Sept. 20.

In the first game, Ole Miss held Retzlaff to a paltry 5-for-17 passing for 56 yards and no touchdowns. It was the worst statistical game of the redshirt senior’s career. He’s been better since, but not consistently.

Retzlaff has thrown for at least 290 yards in three games since Sept. 20, but was also held to 13-for-22 passing for 145 yards against UNT.

Tulane isn’t asking him to sling it 40 times. Retzlaff’s strength is rushing. He leads the Green Wave with 610 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns.

If the game comes down to a pivotal two-minute drill where Tulane needs to throw, Retzlaff’s secondary weapon will be under the microscope.

Can Trinidad Chambliss avoid big mistakes, Tulane pass rush?

Tulane may need one or two game-changing plays to upset Ole Miss. It has the defensive personnel to make that happen.

Tulane leads the American with 34 sacks. The Green Wave also leads its conference with 15 interceptions.

Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss has been good at avoiding critical mistakes. He has thrown just three interceptions. He didn’t throw any interceptions in the first half and was sacked once in the first matchup.

Will everything look normal without Lane Kiffin?

There is an element to this game that doesn’t show up in the stats.

It will be the first time in six seasons that Ole Miss has played without coach Lane Kiffin. Defensive coordinator Pete Golding has taken over and Ole Miss retained offense coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. through the CFP. That’s important, but it may take some time adjusting to.

Golding is moving down from the booth to the sideline. He said he will still call plays on defense. Weis Jr. will still head up the offense. Quarterback coach Joe Judge is continuing to help with in-game strategy and timeouts.

The Rebels will have had almost three weeks to practice without Kiffin by the opening kickoff. It will still probably feel a weird in the first half, especially if Golding shakes up some of Kiffin’s traditions. The key is not letting Kiffin’s absence carry over to the on-field product.

Ole Miss football vs Tulane CFP score prediction

Ole Miss 36, Tulane 21: Ole Miss thoroughly dominated Tulane the first time. The Green Wave did not look like a team worthy of the CFP. Tulane coach Jon Sumrall said he hardly recognized his team, and it will look to make up for a poor showing. Expect Tulane to play better, but there’s a lot of room for that to happen while still losing to the Rebels.

Sam Hutchens covers Ole Miss for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at Shutchens@gannett.com or reach him on X at @Sam_Hutchens_

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Will Pete Golding, Ole Miss beat Tulane in CFP? Our prediction

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