Alabama football and Ole Miss play Saturday night in Oxford, MS. Check out the game predictions from the ‘Bama Hammer’ staff of writers.
Alabama football and Ole Miss have been playing against each other since 1894. The Crimson Tide lost that first contest but has dominated the series since. In 65 games, Ole Miss has won only ten times.
The Bama Hammer writing team enjoys sharing our game predictions for game No. 66.
Bama Hammer Contributor, Chris Dodson
First off, this isn’t a rivalry. Plain and simple. This is nothing but a game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Ole Miss Rebels…wait…the Ole Miss Black Bea…hold on…the Ole Miss Rebel Landshark Bears.
(Seriously, what’s with the identity crisis?!)
Anyway, many are writing Ole Miss off as non-competitive but I think it still could be more interesting than what’s on the surface. While Matt Luke may not have the number on Bama the way Hugh Freeze did, there is still potential for a competitive game. This is a road game for Alabama and Ole Miss is hungry to win. This is also both team’s SEC openers.
Now, granted, the Rebel Landshark Bears are not with our fault. You don’t just give up 41 points to Southern Illinois and expect no one to bat an eye. Their defense needs a lot of work and it could make this game a little easier for Tua, especially since it is his first true road game.
However, I fully expect this game to be a little more uncomfortable for Bama fans than they would like. The Ole Miss offense has potential for explosive plays. I’m still calling for a Bama win, but not by much: 38-28.
Bama Hammer Contributor, Jonathan Waldrop
This is one of those games that I guarantee Saban had on his mind when he said the 2018 team may have to rely on the offense a bit more than usual. The first two games this season of both the Crimson Tide and the Rebels bear out the notion this Saturday could be an offensive juggernaut. They also serve notice both defenses may have a hard time stopping much of anything inside Vaught-Hemingway.
The Rebels’ D gave up over 600 yards and 41 points to FCS Southern Illinois last Saturday. The Tide gave up 173 yards on the ground to Arkansas State. Not sure which stat is stranger, although I’m leaning towards the 173 rushing yards.
Word is that Saban’s been doing some tinkering with the secondary this week. In order to somewhat disrupt an Ole Miss receiving corps that can be conservatively called “advantageous.” The five DBs in the nickel will now include Patrick Surtain Jr. at one of the corners. Diggs slides to star and Shyheim Carter rounds out the dime formation as a safety.
It also looks like redshirt freshman kicker Joseph Bulovas will be taking over full-time duties for graduate transfer Austin Jones.
Ole Miss QB Jordan Ta’amu is a major game day player. He’s thrown for nearly 800 yards and eight touchdowns to zero picks, through two games. The Alabama football defense adjusts well to these types of offenses, I shudder to think what Tua and company will do to the Rebel defense if SIU put up the numbers it did.
Make no mistake, we’ll be covering our eyes at a few points in this game, but I’m just not convinced, even in Oxford, Ole Miss can turn around completely from a 66-3 drubbing in 2017. There will be some points, but the Tide will have more.
Prediction: Alabama 49 Ole Miss 28
Bama Hammer Contributor, Ronald Moody
Alabama football will incorporate a Darth Vader choke hold on a packed Vaught Hemmingway stadium early. Look for head coach Nick Saban and offensive coordinator Michael Locksley to take the air out the ball by pounding the rock with Harris and Harris. The Crimson Tide offensive line is too talented and powerful for a pedestrian Ole Miss defensive front seven. Continuing his efficient play at quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa will keep the offense rolling if they get in a tight bind.
Offensive coordinator Phil Longo’s potent Ole Miss offense has not faced a stout defense this season. SEC leading rusher Scottie Phillips will be shut down. Stopping the run will force Ole Miss into plenty of third and longs. The youthful secondary will step up and shut down the Rebels NWO (Nasty Wide Outs). Tosh Lupoi and the defense will frustrate senior Jordan Ta’amu.
Look for a big Crimson Tide victory.
Alabama 59 Ole Miss 21
Bama Hammer Lead Writer, Ronald Evans
Add one more item to the few guarantees in life. The 2018 Ole Miss defense, like the 2017 version, cannot stop the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Yes, in Vaught-Hemingway (not, by the way, associated with the author Ernest) there will be sound and fury. The Ole Miss Air Raid will try to match the title of the famous William Faulkner novel. It will not be sound and fury enough.
The inexperienced Tide defense and its inexperienced, at play-calling, defensive coordinator will take some lumps. Nick Saban will fuss and fume over too many big plays by the Ole Miss offense.
In the end, Oxford will be joyless for the home team.
Alabama 55 – Ole Miss 31
Our Alabama football predictions are a mixture of fun and carefully considered opinion. We hope you enjoy them.