College Football Playoff: Ole Miss vs Tulane Odds, Analysis, & Picks

For the second time this season, the Ole Miss Rebels and Tulane Green Wave will meet. But this time, it’s with a lot at stake, as the two clash in the first round of the College Football Playoff on Saturday. The kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Mississippi. The Rebels are the No. 6 seed in the CFP, and they’re riding a five-game winning streak heading into this clash. Tulane is in the same boat, and they’re the No. 11 seed in the expanded 12-team Playoff. Read below for the Ole Miss vs Tulane picks.

Odds provided by TonyBet.

Ole Miss vs Tulane Odds

By no surprise, Ole Miss is a -1000 moneyline favorite at online betting sportsbooks. On the spread, the Rebels are laying 18 points. Tulane is a heavy +520 underdog, and it’s understandable why.

In September, Ole Miss hammered the Green Wave 45-10. The Rebels lead the all-time series 46-28. These two programs are no strangers to each other, despite playing in different conferences.

Ole Miss vs Tulane Analysis

The Rebels had a solid campaign in the always difficult SEC, finishing 7-1 in conference play and 11-1 overall. Ole Miss notched wins over the likes of Florida, Mississippi State, and Oklahoma. Their only defeat came against Georgia, the SEC champions who are also in the College Football Playoff. Senior QB Trinidad Chambliss has been a revelation for the Rebels, leading one of the best offenses in the country.

Chambliss has done it all. He’s thrown for 3,016 yards and 18 touchdowns against three interceptions while also rushing for six touchdowns. He’s a versatile weapon, and Chambliss had 307 yards through the air and 114 more on the ground when Ole Miss beat the Green Wave in September. Others to watch within this Rebels offense are Deuce Alexander and Kewan Lacy. Defensively, Ole Miss is also top-25 in the country in fewest points allowed.

The Green Wave is an inspiring story, and they’re in the CFP for the very first time. Tulane went 11-2 this season and won the American Conference on December 5, beating North Texas. The Green Wave earned their place in the Playoff as one of the automatic berths as a top-five ranked conference champion. After the loss to Ole Miss on September 20, Tulane proceeded to go 8-1 to close out the campaign.

The play of QB Jake Retzlaff has been a key part of their success. He’s protected by a terrific offensive line, and Retzlaff’s dynamic game is clear – he’s one of the top running QBs in the NCAA, rushing for 16 touchdowns. He also threw for 2,862 yards and 14 touchdowns against six interceptions. Tulane’s head coach is leaving for the Florida job, but a deep run in the CFP would be icing on the cake for his tenure in Louisiana. That being said, this is an incredibly tough game for the Green Wave.

Ole Miss vs Tulane Picks

The Rebels simply overmatched Tulane in September in Oxford. It wasn’t even close. I don’t think the Green Wave will have any luck making this one close, either. Ole Miss is a much better team, and they should win convincingly.

Pick: Ole Miss -118 (-113)/TonyBet