Way-Too-Early Staff Predictions: Ole Miss Rebels vs. Tulane Green Wave

The Grove Report staff gives predictions for Ole Miss vs. Tulane.

OXFORD, Miss. -- After opening their 2023 regular season with a Week 1 home matchup versus the Mercer Bears, the Ole Miss Rebels will hit the road to take on the Tulane Green Wave in Week 2. Tulane is Ole Miss' first test of the season, as the Green Wave finished their 2022 campaign as one of the best Group of Five schools in the country with an overall record of 12-2.

After defeating the USC Trojans 46-45 in the 2023 Cotton Bowl Classic to cap off their historic 2022-23 campaign, the Green Wave will not be a team to be taken lightly this fall. Led by junior quarterback Michael Pratt - who recorded 3,009 passing yards, 27 touchdowns, and five interceptions last season - Tulane is already a step ahead of Ole Miss in the sense that they have determined their starting signal caller. 

The Green Wave did, however, lose star running back Tyjae Spears and a handful of veteran defenders to the 2023 NFL Draft. Spear was the No. 1 option in Tulane's rushing attack last fall and led the team with 1,581 rushing yards. Running backs Iverson Celestine and Shaadie Clayton-Johnson will lead the Tulane running back room in 2023.

Ole Miss defensive back Jadon Canady spent the last two seasons with Tulane and will get the opportunity to suit up against his former teammates in Week 2. Canady transferred to the Rebels in May after recording 69 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, and two interceptions in his career with the Green Wave.

The last time these two programs met in 2021, Ole Miss won by a decisive score of 61-21 in front of a home crowd. The sixty-seventh meeting between these two programs is not shaping up to be a blowout, however. Ole Miss and Tulane will kick off at 2:30 p.m. CT on Sept. 16 in Yulman Stadium. Here's how The Grove Report staff sees this game going for Ole Miss.

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Casey Smith 

If you're a fan of offense, clear your schedule on Sept. 9 from approximately 2:30-6 p.m. This is one of the non-conference games I'm most excited about across the entire college football landscape next season because of the potential for an electric track meet that could take place at Yulman Stadium. 

Last season, both teams averaged at least 441 yards and 33 points per game with the Green Wave putting up at least 40 points in six contests last season, including in a thrilling 46-45 defeat of USC in last year's Cotton Bowl. Ole Miss can't sleepwalk into this game against the defending American Athletic Conference champions or else it could come out of this on the losing end.

Ole Miss 45, Tulane 38

Cole Thompson

On paper, non-Power 5 Tulane should be a walk in the park for Ole Miss. That was before the Green Wave blew past their competition in the AAC to finish 11-2, capped off with a win over USC in the Cotton Bowl. Michael Pratt is a back at QB. Willie Fritz turned down the chance to coach at Georgia Tech to remain in New Orleans. And culture could be key in keeping the Green Wave’s playoff’s hopes alive. The Rebels win, but don’t think this is going to be a cakewalk for Lane Kiffin and Co.

Ole Miss 27, Tulane 20

Ben King

The Ole Miss Rebels get an early road test in Week 2 when they travel to New Orleans to take on the winners of the 2023 Cotton Bowl Classic, the Tulane Green Wave. Tulane lost multiple starters on both sides of the ball to the NFL, but that does not mean they will be a team to be taken lightly. Tulane is led by returning starting quarterback Michael Pratt who will be looking for revenge after Ole Miss crushed him and the Green Wave by a score of 61-21 in 2021. It is going to be close, but I have the Rebels coming out on top.

Ole Miss 38, Tulane 31

John Macon Gillespie

An early road test for Lane Kiffin's Rebels--and that's exactly what this is: a test. Tulane is not the pushover Tulane of old, as evidenced by its 11-2 run in the 2022 season. However, I think Ole Miss will come out on top in this one. What I think will be an improved offense and defense paired with a strong showing from the Rebel fan base in New Orleans, and I like Kiffin's chances.

Oh, and if you're going to play a home-and-home with a non-conference opponent, Tulane is the perfect choice for Ole Miss. A quality opponent and a great city.

Ole Miss 35, Tulane 21

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You can follow Ben King on Twitter at @BKing_2023.

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