Ole Miss vs. Tulane game prediction, preview: Who wins, and why?

What to watch for as Ole Miss and Tulane meet in this Week 2 college football game along with our updated score predictions

This weekend brings us a very intriguing non-conference matchup between SEC and AAC teams from New Orleans as No. 20 Ole Miss goes on the road to face off against No. 24 Tulane in a battle of ranked teams in college football's Week 2 action on Saturday.

What can you expect from the matchup? Here's what you should know when Ole Miss and Tulane square off along with our updated Week 2 game predictions.

Ole Miss vs. Tulane prediction, preview

Ole Miss vs. Tulane predictions / USA Today Images

How to watch

When: Sat., Sept. 9
Time: 2:30 p.m. Central
TV: ESPN2 network
Stream live: fuboTV (Try for free)

Ole Miss vs. Tulane odds

Courtesy of SI Sportsbook

Line: Ole Miss -6.5
Total: 66.5 points
ML: Rebs -275 | Wave +200
FPI pick: Ole Miss 77.3%

Related: Ole Miss vs. Tulane picks, predictions, Week 2 college football games

What to watch for

Ole Miss and Tulane square off in Week 2 / USA Today Images

1. Pratt is back. The key to Tulane's continued success following its AAC title is the play of quarterback Michael Pratt, who didn't waste any time making a statement in the opener against a good 10-win South Alabama team in the opener, hitting four times as many TD passes (4) as he had incompletions (1). Watch in particular his connection with deep threat target Jha'Quan Jackson, who went over 100 yards with two long TD catches last week. Ole Miss' defense brings on 6 new starters and is implementing a new system under coordinator Pete Golding.

2. Rebs can get behind you. Tulane's secondary will face a tougher test against the Ole Miss attack, especially transfer receiver Tre Harris, who caught four touchdown passes against Mercer, but the Green Wave have the tools to create some havoc when the ball is in the air. They were 10th nationally last season in turnover margin per game and present a unified front pressuring the pocket. Ole Miss had 21 turnovers a year ago, with 11 coming in its five losses.

3. Battle at the line. Ole Miss wants to play a two-dimensional offense and prove it can keep the ball out of Pratt's hands and the key to that plan is Quinshon Judkins. The SEC's top rusher a year ago, he rolled for 1,567 yards and 16 touchdowns as a true freshman and, though he had moderate success in the opener, running for 60 yards and 2 scores, Judkins faces a faster and more cohesive pursuit group at Tulane, which held the Jags to 2.3 ypc in Week 1.

Ole Miss vs. Tulane prediction

Don't be surprised if Tulane gets its hands on the ball in the form of one or two turnovers, while Pratt connects on a bevy of intermediate gainers with the Wave looking to establish tempo early on, but the loss of Tyjae Spears in the backfield will have an impact as they try to balance things out.

In the meantime, the Rebs have the manpower to create lanes for Judkins to consistently hit the Tulane line with success. And if Dart has actually improved to the point where the threat of his arm can make opposing defenses pay for putting most of their attention on Judkins and the ground game, then the Rebels' offense will be a force to be reckoned with.

College Football HQ picks...

• Ole Miss wins 38-32
• Doesn't cover the spread
• And hits the over

Related: Ole Miss vs. Tulane score prediction by college football computer

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