Game notes
- Time and date: Saturday, September 20 at 3:30 p.m. ET
- Network: ESPN
- Location: Vaught-Hemingway Stadium — Oxford, MS
- Spread: Ole Miss (-13.5)
- Over/under: 61.5
- All-time series: Ole Miss leads, 45-28
- Last meeting: Ole Miss 44, BYU 24 — September 9, 2023
- Current streak: Ole Miss, 13 (1989-23)
Setting the scene
The fans will be flocking to The Grove this Saturday for a highly-anticipated non-conference matchup. Ole Miss has Tulane’s number, winning 13 consecutive matchups dating back to 1989. But in the 2020s, Tulane has risen into a power, hoping to rewrite the narrative of this series.
Both teams are 3-0 heading into Oxford and both secured some quality wins to start their 2025 campaigns. Ole Miss (3-0, 2-0 SEC) already resides at the top of the conference standings after outlasting Kentucky and Arkansas
in the past two weeks, jumping to 3-0 overall for the fifth-straight year. Tulane (3-0, 0-0 American) concludes its the final non-conference test after knocking off Northwestern and Duke for its first 3-0 start since 2022.
Tulane Green Wave outlook
Last Saturday night in Yulman Stadium featured electricity in its purest form. Tulane saw a record number of students pack its venue as the Green Wave defeated their ex-quarterback Darian Mensah and Duke in 34-27 fashion. That statement victory — which saw a 34-16 score with three minutes remaining — demonstrated Jon Sumrall’s team smoothly transitioned from the past to the present.
The team’s new starting quarterback Jake Retzlaff stole the show in the Big Easy, rushing for 111 yards and four touchdowns while firing for 245 on just 15 completions in the victory. The BYU transfer’s dual-threat tendencies have made him a star in his new home. Retzlaff is third among all quarterbacks in the rushing department after a pair of 110+ yard outings and his six rushing touchdowns rank second overall in the FBS, only trailing Washington running back Jonah Coleman.
Tulane isn’t afraid to get creative with play designs that feature Retzlaff’s mobility or use it as a decoy. Backup Brendan Sullivan even checks in for the occasional snap to keep defenses on their toes. But interestingly enough, a running back isn’t the focal point of the Tulane offense for once. The Green Wave produced an FBS top 10 rusher in each of the past three seasons, but this year, Sumrall and his staff are taking a committee approach. Starter Maurice Turner hasn’t played since Week 1 and his status remains unknown, causing Zuberi Mobley, Javin Gordon, and Arnold Barnes III to split carries in an offense which features an equal dose of QB keepers. Keeping the run game sturdy is an offensive line featuring two reigning first team all-conference selections in Shadre Hurst and Derrick Graham.
Last game was the first time Retzlaff diced an opponent through the air, notably completing a 63-yard bomb to Shazz Preston while on the run. Preston is among the three main options in Tulane’s revamped receiver corps, sharing duties with Omari Hayes (team-highs with 13 catches and 143 yards) and Bryce Bohanon.
Tulane’s defense garnered tons of attention in 2024 for its turnover-producing ways, tying for first in the country in defensive touchdowns. The 2025 Green Wave are similarly chaotic, already nabbing eight takeaways to rank atop the FBS. Slot cornerback Javion White is one of the masterminds behind keeping this trend alive, securing three interceptions through three weeks. Also playing a disruptive role in the secondary is Jahiem Johnson, who has one interception and leads the American with four pass breakups.
One concern is, other than takeaways, Tulane’s defense has been susceptible to giving up first downs. A lack of pressure is causing this, as Tulane couldn’t sack Duke once in 51 dropbacks a week ago. The Green Wave rank 91st in total defense allowing 370 yards per game, but they typically step up in the red zone. In 10 trips inside the 20, Tulane opponents only managed four touchdowns. The sound tackling of Dickson Agu and Jack Tchienchou has been vital to minimizing these teams’ scoring outputs after promising possessions.
Ole Miss Rebels outlook
Ole Miss is in familiar territory of 3-0 and now Lane Kiffin and the Rebels look to stunt Tulane for the 14th consecutive meeting. Kiffin’s team is fresh off consecutive one-score SEC wins, sliding past Kentucky in 30-23 fashion before outlasting Arkansas in a 41-35 barnburner.
The Rebels’ offense has been effective thus far, averaging 44.7 points per game and 542 yards per game — with Georgia State and the two aforementioned conference opponents on the schedule. But Ole Miss has one question it must answer heading into the game — Austin Simmons or Trinidad Chambliss? Simmons suffered an ankle injury in Week 2, causing Chambliss to provide relief duties. Simmons was made available — and even threw a 4-yard touchdown pass on his only attempt — in Week 3, but Chambliss started and played the majority of the contest.
Offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. must concoct different gameplans depending on the starter. One difference is handiness, as Simmons is a lefty and Chambliss a righty. Additionally, Simmons targets the deep ball more frequently while Chambliss handles more designed QB runs. Regardless of which quarterback the Rebels trot out, he will receive tremendous run support from Kewan Lacy. Lacy resides in the FBS top 20 in rushing after two 100+ yard outbursts to open the season. He’ll operate as the lead back for this matchup, while some carries will be allocated to Logan Diggs — an explosive second fiddle.
As sharp as Ole Miss has been on the ground, the Rebels rank relatively higher as the 11th-best passing offense the nation has to offer. Harrison Wallace III ranks third in the country in receiving yards with 339, operating as an effective downfield threat with 22.6 yards per catch. The Penn State transfer has a 40+ yard ball in all three games, and one massive pickup like that can greatly swing momentum for Ole Miss’ offense. Deuce Alexander is the other name to watch in the receiving game as the Rebels look for a third 340+ yard passing performance this season.
There is improvement to be had on defense after surrendering 526 yards to Arkansas. The Razorbacks especially shined in the quarterback run game — a clear strength of Tulane’s — considering Taylen Green generated 115 rushing yards on the Rebels. Ole Miss looks to bottle up the Green Wave at the line of scrimmage behind the presence of defensive tackle Zxavian Harris. The 6’8”, 330 pound senior is an athletic freak of nature, totaling 17 tackles (third on the team), four tackles for loss, and an interception in a tremendous start to 2025.
However, Harris is responsible for Ole Miss’ only interception this year. The Rebels haven’t been a turnover factory at all with two takeaways through three games. They still search for a John Saunders Jr. replacement on defense, finding a safety that can corral three picks and force four fumbles in a season. One candidate fit for that role is free safety/nickel Kapena Gushiken who leads the secondary with 12 tackles.
Prediction
Regardless of quarterback, Ole Miss’ offense can certainly pile on the points. Austin Simmons and Trinidad Chambliss both proved this to start SEC play and the Rebels are stocked with weapons at the skill positions, from Kewan Lacy to Harrison Wallace III. Tulane will need to lean into the turnover battle and play an aggressive brand of football in order to produce routine stops. That involves dialing up the pressure and sending more blitzes so they don’t come up empty-handed in the sack department like they did vs. Duke.
Offensively, Tulane should manage a slew of touchdowns thanks to succeeding at one of Ole Miss’ weaker points — the quarterback run game. Jake Retzlaff’s dual-threat capabilities keep the Green Wave close for three quarters, but Ole Miss emerges victorious after a strong finish in Oxford.
Prediction: Ole Miss 35, Tulane 24
