Crimson Tide Bold Prediction No. 4
Ole Miss had a problem with negative plays last season. With Utah transfer, Orlando Umana at center, the Ole Miss offensive line may be stiffer. In the three 2021 games, Ole Miss QB, Matt Corral has been sacked six times. Those six sacks came against FBS defenses ranked No. 97 (Louisville) and No. 112 (Tulane), and an FCS defense ranked No. 75 (Austin Peay).
In four games, the Crimson Tide defense has 31 tackles-for-a-loss, including 11 sacks, plus 14 quarterback hurries. Containing Corral will be the first task, but the Tide defense, even rushing only four, should give the Ole Miss offensive line problems. The prediction is a minimum of three sacks, plus a minimum of three more tackles for a loss.
Crimson Tide Bold Prediction No. 5
Ole Miss has a serious problem with penalties. At almost 12 per game, the Rebels are ranked No. 130 (last) in the FBS. Considering they have played under little duress so far, there could be a Rebel penalty explosion Saturday afternoon.
On Wednesday, Nick Saban said he hoped the Bryant-Denny crowd would be as prepared to be loud as his players are going to be to play. The crowd noise will be a factor. The prediction is Ole Miss will have no less than four false-start penalties.
Crimson Tide Bold Prediction No. 6
On the season, Matt Corral is completing 68.8 percent of his passes. The prediction is he will not complete 60 percent on Saturday.
Crimson Tide Bold Prediction No. 7
Nick Saban’s Thursday night radio show is often a good predictor of how well the Tide will play on Saturday. Saban’s demeanor offers strong clues. If he is loose and joking around Thursday night, the Crimson Tide will probably win easily, with a margin in the high teens.
For now (an edit may follow after the show) the prediction is the Tide wins by double digits, but barely.
An added elaboration on the Crimson Tide will win prediction. Nick Saban will go to 24-0 against former assistants.