Oxford is preparing to host its biggest football night ever, and the predictions for Ole Miss vs. Tulane are only heightening that electric anticipation bubbling in the Grove.
Despite undergoing an unprecedented head coaching change right before the Playoff, Ole Miss is still the heavy favorite to come out on top against Tulane.
CBS Sports writer expects Ole Miss to hold off Tulane
CBS Sports' Tom Fornelli listed the perfect "emotional" reason for the Rebels to prove themselves, besides showing that they are doing just fine without Kiffin.
"My guess is that, considering the emotional circumstances at play and that this is a home game in Oxford, which could allow Ole Miss fans, players, and coaches who have been frustrated by the whole situation to let it all out, we'll see the same aggressive approach as always," Fornelli wrote.
FanDuel lists Ole Miss as the 37.5 (-108) point favorite against the Green Wave.
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What makes the reason Fornelli stated so important is the ucertainity surrounding Golding as the head coach. It is his first game as the head coach, and the stakes couldn't be any higher.
Yes, Golding has managed to get OC Weis Jr. back for the CFP, but we don't know how much of the offensive play calling was his and not Kiffin. Fornelli expects at least a few slip-ups from the offense.
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"I know there are question marks surrounding the Rebels' offense here because of the whole Lane Kiffin saga. I have no idea how that will impact things in the game. Charlie Weis Jr, the team's offensive coordinator, is with the team for the playoff run, but we don't know how much influence Kiffin had with playcalling during games."
"It's not crazy to think his absence could lead to a few more mistakes made by the Rebels' offense, or maybe new coach Pete Golding, the defensive coordinator, is more conservative with fourth-down decisions than Kiffin was."
Another thing that has changed between their previous 45-10 matchup is the serious improvement in Sumrall's squad. The offensive uncertainty, plus the improvement in Tulane's squad could make this a close-call one.
"It all makes plenty of sense, and I can envision a scenario where the Tulane offense performs much better here. What I'm having a much tougher time seeing is how Tulane stops Ole Miss from putting up points."
Tulane heads to Oxford this Saturday.