Welcome back, sports fans! Your Ole Miss Rebels are 1-0, and the college football season is officially off and running! That is, unless you're a Seminole or Gator fan, in which case, you've probably shifted your attention to fantasy football and articles on why Lane Kiffin would be a great fit at your school. I get it, but for the rest of us, we must keep moving. To recap week 1, we had LSU fall to USC, Notre Dame knock off Texas A&M in College Station, and the mighty Bulldogs of Georgia picking up right where they left off. Outside of that, it was a week of blowouts and cautious observations. So what do we make of it thus far? Who's overrated? Who's underrated? What do the new rankings say? Hold on, slow down! We've got a long season ahead of us. It's a marathon, not a sprint. We mentioned how to eat an elephant last week, but due to success and excitement, or as Lane calls it, "Rat Poison," it's worth repeating. One bite at a time. On to Middle Tennessee.
With rat poison in mind, let's talk about last week for a second. That was pretty damn fun! 772 yards, 76 points, and a shutout! While we played an inferior opponent and already knew we had a special team this year, it felt good to be back. Back in the Grove, back in the Vaught, back high-fiving, cheersing, and fist-pumping. We got to see the new guys in action and played just about every man on the roster. It was a busy day for the gentleman who fires the touchdown cannon and a LONG day for the Furman Paladins. So what are the takeaways? What did we learn? (if anything). If you're going to try and be critical, good luck. It was a damn near perfect performance (yes, against Furman). The one spot you could MAYBE point to as a question mark would be the running game. If you're being critical, you might ask if we'll be able to replace the production from that #4 guy last year. We added a stable of running backs this off-season, and in this particular game, you could argue that nobody particularly stood out among the rest. I guess it can be a little more challenging to assess when you throw for 529 yards and end drives with 61-yard touchdown catches. Maybe something to put a pin in as we go forward. Overall, when looking back on the game, I would humbly use the word pleased.
We’re running it back at home this week to take on the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders. What do we know about them? Their head coach is Derek Mason, formerly of the Vanderbilt Commodores, and they beat Tennessee Tech 32-25 last week. That’s the extent of my scouting, but at the end of the day, it’s about us. Don’t let who we play dictate how we play! I want to see high-energy football regardless of the competition. I want to hear some pads pop and make Middle Tennessee dread coming out of the locker room for the second half. We’re at home, and we need to act like it. Just in case anyone is overlooking the Blue Raiders, however, I went ahead and linked below a 2-minute Saban rant in preparation for the Charleston Southern game in 2015. Highly recommend! Hotty Toddy and remember to please bet the Pick 5 responsibly. I am NOT an expert, although statistically, last year I was.
SCORE PREDICTION:
I’ve got the Rebels winning big again. I think we bring the energy, score quickly and often, and play lights out defense. Simple game!
Ole Miss 59
Middle Tenn 6
PICK 5: (3-2) 60%
Lines are brought to you by FanDuel (Unofficial Sponsor of TheReb) as they sit on Friday morning.
1.) South Carolina @ Kentucky -8.5
I’m not sure how many of you tuned into these respective games last week, but Brock Vandagriff, the transfer from Georgia, looked like a gamer in his debut for the Cats. In addition, they ran the ball well and pitched a shutout against Southern Miss. Mark Stoops has his men dialed in early, and I don’t think the Cocks are ready. Cats by 90.
2.) South Florida @ Alabama -31
We all remember this game in South Florida last year. The Tide looked lifeless, played three different quarterbacks, and barely skated by with a win. It may have been the wake-up call they needed as they went on to play for the National Championship, but I don’t think the Bulls will be able to sneak up on the Tide in Tuscaloosa. Tide continues to roll.
3.) Texas -7.5 @ Michigan
I’m nervous about laying over a touchdown on the road in Ann Arbor. The Over/Under is only 42.5! With that being said, I’m bought in on Texas. I do like Michigan’s defense, but I think Texas is going to get theirs regardless, and I don’t think Michigan has the offense to keep up. Hook em’
4.) Colorado @ Nebraska -7
I think Nebraska is starting to turn the corner in Matt Rhule’s second year as head coach. Dylan Raiola is the real deal, and I believe they have a much-improved defense. The Nebraska faithful has waited patiently for this moment. They’ve got Deion coming to town, and Memorial Stadium is going to be ROCKING. Go Huskers!
5.) Tennessee -9.5 @ N.C. State
I hope we're all ready for Tennessee to be good again, because I’m afraid Nico Iamaleva is a certified STUD. Wolfpack can’t hang, and the Vols run back to Rocky Top with a comfortable win.
Pick 5 for the ball year 2024 sits at 66.666%
Even last year the pick 5 hovered around and ended at... you guessed it 66.666%
In modern popular culture, 666 has become one of the most widely recognized symbols for the Antichrist or, alternatively, the devil. Earnest references to the number occur both among apocalypticist Christian groups and in explicitly anti-Christian subcultures.
Its a quesiton that needs to be addressed by the staff writers at the reb. Did they make a deal with lucifer in return for picks. Just asking questions.