No. 9 OLE MISS (3-1, 1-1 SEC) at Vanderbilt (3-2, 0-2 SEC)
2:30 p.m. CT, Nashville, ESPN
Ole Miss did more than regain its physicality during its off week after losing at Florida. Obviously, the Rebels got somewhat of a head start preparing for Vanderbilt, meaning the game plan that will be unveiled Saturday in Nashville is almost two weeks in the making.
I fully expect the Rebels to more than cover the 9.5-point spread given to them by Vegas oddsmakers.
Star running back Kewan Lacy will be back, but how much will Ole Miss call upon him in his return from a shoulder injury? The most important thing is for Ole Miss to run the ball effectively and not let the Vandy defense sell out defending Trinidad Chambliss and the pass.
The Ole Miss defense ought to be fit to be tied Saturday after its last outing at the Florida Gators.
One thing we do know about Clark Lea’s Commodores is that they do not quit, fighting from opening whistle to the final horn. We do expect Vanderbilt to put up a fight, no matter who is playing quarterback for the Commodores.
I expect Ole Miss’ superior talent to create some distance early in the third quarter.
OLE MISS 38, VANDERBILT 17