Ole Miss crushes Tulane 45-10 in September, and tomorrow’s 17.5-point spread already looks too small after what Pete Golding revealed

Ole Miss faces Tulane tomorrow in a College Football Playoff first-round clash at 3:30 p.m. ET with the Rebels heavily favored as 17.5-point favorites. The winner advances to the Sugar Bowl to face No. 3 seed Georgia. This is a rematch of their September 20 meeting where Ole Miss dominated 45-10, but everything has changed since then.

Ole Miss vs. Tulane: The Rematch Nobody Expected

These two programs met just three months ago in a game that wasn’t competitive. Ole Miss dominated from start to finish, showcasing the offensive firepower that carried them through the regular season. Trinidad Chambliss threw for 307 yards and 2 touchdowns while adding 112 rushing yards. Running back Kewan Lacy found the end zone twice on the ground. Tulane, by contrast, had both quarterbacks Jake Retzlaff and Brendan Sullivan combine for just 104 passing yards on 29 attempts.

Now the Green Wave return to Oxford looking for revenge, though they’ll face a dramatically different Ole Miss team. The Rebels’ historic regular season under Lane Kiffin ended with his shocking departure to LSU in early December. Pete Golding, the defensive coordinator, was quickly promoted to permanent head coach in a stunning decision by Ole Miss administration. Kiffin wanted to lead the program through the playoff, but university leadership decided otherwise.

Tulane’s Turnaround Since First Meeting

The Green Wave aren’t the same team that got embarrassed in September. Since that loss, Jake Retzlaff has settled in at quarterback and led Tulane to a five-game winning streak to close the regular season. In the American Conference Championship victory over North Texas, Retzlaff showcased his dual-threat abilities with 2 rushing touchdowns. Running back Jamauri McClure exploded for 121 rushing yards in that championship game after having just 3 carries in the September meeting.

Tulane’s success has come despite their own coaching chaos. Head coach Jon Sumrall is juggling two full-time jobs after accepting the Florida position while remaining with the Green Wave through the postseason. Offensive coordinator Will Hall is also managing a transition after being named Tulane’s next head coach. Despite these distractions, the program is riding momentum into the playoffs after capturing the American Athletic Conference title.

Kewan Lacy’s Remarkable Season May Exceed All Expectations

Ole Miss running back Kewan Lacy has emerged as one of college football’s most dominant offensive weapons, though he doesn’t receive the national recognition of some peers. Lacy leads the nation with 20 rushing touchdowns, surpassing even Notre Dame’s Heisman finalist Jeremiyah Love who has 18 scores. The sophomore has rushed for 1,279 yards this season and found the end zone in all but one game.

Lacy’s best performance came November 15 against Florida, when he rushed for a spectacular 224 yards and 3 touchdowns. In his last two games against Florida and Mississippi State, Lacy accumulated 367 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns, serving as the engine of Ole Miss’ powerful offensive machine. His dominance on the ground creates a dual-threat problem that Tulane’s defense must solve to have any chance in this matchup.

Can Pete Golding’s Ole Miss Maintain the Momentum?

The biggest question surrounding Ole Miss entering this historic playoff game is how much the coaching transition impacts the Rebels’ offense. Lane Kiffin’s departure to LSU creates a significant void, as the legendary offensive mind had the program playing at an elite level. Offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. remains with the team for the playoff run, which provides continuity, but it’s unclear whether Golding will maintain Kiffin’s aggressive offensive approach or lean more heavily on defense-oriented football.

The environment in Oxford will be unprecedented for Ole Miss history. The small Mississippi town has never experienced a December playoff game, and Vaught-Hemingway Stadium will be packed with fans eager to witness the Rebels’ first CFP game. Golding’s players were seen leaving a team meeting fired up and ready after his coaching announcement, channeling the chaos into motivation to succeed with their new leader.

Does Tulane Have Any Path to the Upset Tomorrow?

For Tulane to pull off a stunning upset, the Green Wave must keep the game tight and force Ole Miss into unfamiliar situations. Jake Retzlaff’s passing game will be critical since the Green Wave simply cannot match Ole Miss’ explosive offense in a shootout. The September performance was painful with combined quarterback stats of 104 passing yards on 29 attempts, but Retzlaff has grown significantly since that matchup.

Tulane’s 5-game winning streak to close the season provides confidence heading into Oxford. The Green Wave’s confidence level should match Ole Miss’ talent advantage, yet history suggests a repeat blowout is more likely. Even with all the change at Ole Miss due to the Kiffin departure, the Rebels’ roster talent and depth is simply too much for a Tulane team making its first CFP appearance. The 17.5-point spread reflects the vast talent gap between these programs.

Michael Brown

Michael Brown is a seasoned sports journalist bringing years of experience covering professional athletics and sporting culture. With a keen eye for breaking stories and player dynamics, this veteran journalist delivers in-depth analysis and exclusive insights from the world’s biggest sporting events. His passion for the game shines through in every story, keeping fans connected to the action both on and off the field.