Ole Miss Rebels vs. LSU Tigers Game Predictions

Can the Rebels reclaim the Magnolia Bowl trophy in 2023?

The Magnolia Bowl did not go the way of the Ole Miss Rebels in 2022. That much is certain.

The 7-0 Rebels suffered their first loss of the season in an embarrassing fashion at the hands of the Bayou Bengals, falling 45-20 in Death Valley after opening up an early lead on the road. This season, however, the Rebels get the LSU Tigers at home, and they will look to avenge last season's loss to Brian Kelly's team.

This week, The Grove Report will preview the Rebels' matchup against the Tigers, providing a look at both sides of the football as well as giving early game predictions. We have taken a look at the keys to the game for both teams, but how does our staff see the game playing out on the field?

Cole Thompson, Staff Writer

The Tigers are going to drop a game. Could it be against the Rebels? Everything comes down to quarterback play as LSU features arguably the best run trio up the middle in Mekhi Wingo, Maason Smith and All-SEC linebacker Harold Perkins. Jaxson Dart -- for now -- will have to be perfect at reading coverages and finding open avenues to connect with his receivers and keep drives alive. This game comes down to the fourth quarter, but the Tigers take a late lead to pick up a second Magnolia Bowl victory under Brian Kelly.

LSU 30, Ole Miss 20

Casey Smith, Staff Writer

LSU is projected to be a Southeastern Conference West Division and College Football Playoff contender next season. In last year's head-to-head matchup, the Tigers amassed 500 yards of total offense, which is something the Rebels can't allow to happen again. Ole Miss will contend with LSU if it effectively runs the football. When the Tigers allowed 200 or more rushing yards, they were 2-3 with one of those wins coming against Southern University and the other in a 10-point win against Florida. I think the hangover and fatigue from the Crimson Tide game the week before will be just enough to do Ole Miss in, though.

LSU 41, Ole Miss 35

Ben King, Staff Writer

Following their road trip to Tuscaloosa, the Ole Miss Rebels head home in Week 5 to welcome the LSU Tigers to Vaught-Hemingway. The Rebels got pummeled on the road by the Tigers 45-20 last fall, but they will make that game a distant memory in 2023. Lane Kiffin has an opportunity to pick up one of those signature SEC wins the experts say he is missing, and I believe the Rebels will get the job done at home. It will be close, and the Rebels will rely heavily on their offense as usual, but big showings from Jaxson Dart and Quinshon Judkins topple the Tigers.

Ole Miss 35, LSU 31

John Macon Gillespie, Publisher

Lane Kiffin puts a lot of stock into the Alabama game each season, so a proverbial hangover leading into the matchup against LSU is possible. The Tigers are also probably the "smart" pick on paper given their projections in the SEC this season. However, this game is in Oxford, and my gut tells me that Ole Miss snags this one, at least until I see both teams play in the weeks leading up to this one. I think the Rebels do a better job of corralling Jayden Daniels, and the offense is more consistent than this time last season.

Ole Miss 31, LSU 28

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You can follow John Macon on Twitter at @JMakeGillespie.

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