NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — No. 20 Mississippi is bracing for a much tougher test this weekend when the Rebels visit No. 24 Tulane.
Ole Miss ran away with a 73-7 victory over Mercer of the Championship Subdivision in its season opener.
Tulane downed South Alabama 37-17.
The Rebels have won their last 12 meetings with the Green Wave. But this season’s Tulane team is not only ranked but comes in having won its past three games against ranked opponents late last season.
A Tulane victory would put the Green Wave on an early trajectory to vie for a second straight New Years Six bowl bid.
GAME NOTES:
No. 20 Mississippi (1-0) at No. 24 Tulane (1-0), Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (ESPNU)
Line: Mississippi by 7 1/2, according to FanDuel Sportsbook
Series record: Ole Miss leads, 42-28.
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
Both teams need to win, or at least play this non-conference game close, to remain in the AP Top 25. Following a lopsided victory over a lower-tier opponent that did not challenge them, the Rebels could use a victory over a ranked opponent before beginning its tough SEC schedule. A Tulane victory would put the Green Wave on an early trajectory to vie for a second straight New Years Six bowl bid.
KEY MATCHUP
Mississippi receiver Tre Harris against Tulane cornerback Jarius Monroe. Harris caught four touchdown passes last week. Monroe is the Green Wave’s top defensive back and had a team-leading three interceptions last season.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Mississippi: QB Jaxson Dart passed for 334 yards and four TDs in less than three quarters in the Rebels’ 73-7 rout of Mercer last weekend.
Tulane: Fourth-year QB Michael Pratt was named American Athletic Conference offensive player of the week after connecting on 14 of 15 passes for 294 yards and four TDs — three of 47 or more yards — in a 37-17 victory over South Alabama last weekend.
FACTS & FIGURES
Mississippi has won the past 12 meetings on the field, including results that were subsequently vacated because of NCAA infractions. … Tulane has won its past three games against ranked teams. … This game will mark the first time a ranked opponent from a power conference has visited Tulane’s on-campus Yulman Stadium, which opened in 2014. It is also the first time Tulane has hosted a power conference team since Wake Forest visited in 2018. … Ole Miss broke its single-game record for yards passing with 524 (from three different QBs) against Mercer. … The Rebels’ 73 points against Mercer were the most under current coach Lane Kiffin and tied for seventh most in a game in school history. … Tulane’s defense forced four turnovers last week on two fumble recoveries and two interceptions (Tulane’s offense also forced a turnover during a South Alabama fumble return). … Tulane’s defense held South Alabama to 75 yards rushing last week. … Pratt was given time off from practice this week after taking several heavy hits in Tulane’s opener, but coach Willie Fritz said Pratt would start.
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