Staff Predictions: No. 20 Ole Miss Rebels vs. No. 24 Tulane Green Wave

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

OXFORD, Miss. -- After dismantling the Mercer Bears 73-7 in Week 1, the No. 20 Ole Miss Rebels are set to hit the road in Week 2 to take on the No. 24 Tulane Green Wave.

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. In Week 1, Tulane took down the South Alabama Jaguars 37-17.

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. Tulane is led by junior quarterback Michael Pratt, who recorded 3,009 passing yards, 27 touchdowns, and five interceptions last season.

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, leading the team with 1,581 rushing yards. Makhi Hughes and Shedro Louis led Tulane's backfield in Week 1.

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 67th meeting between these two programs is not shaping up to be a blowout.

Ole Miss vs. Tulane will kick off at 2:30 p.m. CT on Saturday in Yulman Stadium. 

You can find out how to watch Ole Miss' Week 2 matchup here, the Rebels' uniform combination can be observed here, and predictions from The Grove Report staff can be found below. 

John Macon Gillespie, Publisher 

Give me Ole Miss here. I think the Rebels have more talent on the roster than the Green Wave, and even if Michael Pratt is on the other sideline, I think Jaxson Dart outguns him on Saturday. 

Ole Miss 42, Tulane 28

Matt Galatzan, Managing Editor 

This is going to be a big challenge for the Rebels. Tulane has a lot of momentum after the way last year ended, and in conjunction with their Week 1 win, Tulane looks like a formidable foe for Lane Kiffin and company. That said, I do think the Rebels have more talent, and if they play the way they are capable, Jaxson Dart should have another big day. 

Ben King, Staff Writer

The No. 20 Ole Miss Rebels face their first challenge of the 2023 season on Saturday when they travel to take on the No. 24 Tulane Green Wave, and this is not a game that Lane Kiffin's squad can expect to cruise through. Yulman Stadium is sold out for Ole Miss vs. Tulane, and the Green Wave really wants to take the Rebels down on their home turf. 

Tulane quarterback Michael Pratt is efficient and his connection with receiver Jha'Quan Jackson is going to give Ole Miss' defense trouble, but I believe the Kiffin's offense will lead the Rebels to victory behind Jaxson Dart and Quinshon Judkins.

Ole Miss 38, Tulane 35

Casey Smith, Staff Writer

If you're a fan of offense, clear your schedule on Saturday 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, Staff Writer

Michael Pratt's game-time status changes this prediction. The Green Wave have talent, but their best assest is a quarterback with preciscion who can sling it across the yard for easy scores. Give me the Rebels by 10. 

Ole Miss 31, Tulane 21