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Tulane Green Wave

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Rebels

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Preview

OXFORD, Miss. (Interstat) — A marquee nonconference rematch with potential New Year’s Six bowl implications is set for Saturday when the Ole Miss Rebels host the Tulane Green Wave at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Both teams enter with 11-win seasons, but Ole Miss (11-1) holds a slight edge in the College Football Playoff rankings and seeks to bolster its resume. Tulane (11-2), the American Athletic Conference champion, aims to avenge a 45-10 drubbing by the Rebels in Week 3 and prove its record is no fluke. The September meeting was one-sided, but the Green Wave have won nine straight since, including a 34-21 victory over North Texas to claim their conference title on Dec. 5. Quarterback Jake Retzlaff has been central to that surge. In the title game, he accounted for two touchdowns, showcasing the dual-threat ability he’s displayed all season. Over his last three games, Retzlaff has passed for 667 yards and six touchdowns while adding 72 rushing yards and another score. ā€œWe’re a different team than we were in September,ā€ Tulane coach Willie Fritz said. ā€œOur confidence and execution have grown exponentially. We’re excited for the challenge.ā€ Ole Miss, fresh from a 38-19 Egg Bowl win over Mississippi State, boasts one of the nation’s most explosive offenses. Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss threw for 359 yards and four touchdowns in that victory, with running back Kewan Lacy adding 143 rushing yards. Their only blemish is a tight road loss to then-Georgia. ā€œThis is why you come to Ole Miss, for these big-stage games in December,ā€ Rebels coach Lane Kiffin said. ā€œTulane is an elite team, and we’ll need our best performance.ā€ Despite Tulane’s higher ranking in the AP Poll, oddsmakers favor the Rebels heavily. Ole Miss is a 17.5-point favorite according to FanDuel Sportsbook, with an over/under of 56.5 points. The analytics site National Statistical projects a 35-19 Rebels victory. The game kicks off at 11 a.m. CST and will be televised on ABC. The winner is expected to receive a bid to a premier bowl game, potentially the Peach or Fiesta Bowl.

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