We head down to Oxford, where the sixth-ranked Ole Miss Rebels host the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders. Both of these programs were victorious in Week 1, albeit in much different fashions.
Ole Miss made mincemeat out of Furman 76-0, while Middle Tennessee barely snuck by Tennessee Tech, 32-25.
It’s a bit alarming that the Blue Raiders had such a hard time against Tennessee Tech, but at the same time, there weren’t many expectations for MTSU.
The Rebels, who went 11-2 last season, will have a lot of turnover this season, especially on the offensive line. They also lost running back Quinshon Judkins to the transfer portal, but have hope that Ulysses Bentley IV can step in and not miss a beat.
Where does the betting value lie on Saturday afternoon? Read further for my Middle Tennessee vs. Mississippi prediction.
Middle Tennessee vs Ole Miss Prediction
- Pick: Ole Miss 1H -27.5 (-105)
My Middle Tennessee-Ole Miss best bet is Ole Miss to cover the first half spread, with the best line currently available at DraftKings, according to our live NCAAF odds page.
Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders vs Ole Miss Rebels Odds
| Middle Tenn Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+43.5 -112 | 62 -108o / -112u | N/A |
| Ole Miss Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-43.5 -108 | 62 -108o / -112u | N/A |
- Middle Tennessee vs Ole Miss Point Spread: Middle Tennessee +43.5 (-112) · Ole Miss -43.5 (-108)
- Middle Tennessee vs Ole Miss Total: Over/Under 62 (-108o/-112u)
Middle Tennessee vs Ole Miss Preview
Middle Tennessee Betting Preview: Dwelling in Mediocrity
Quarterback Nicholas Vattiato had himself a decent start to the season. In Week 1, he completed 20-of-35 passes, with a passing touchdown and an interception.
Middle Tennessee’s passing game is in rough shape considering it was ranked 105th in Success Rate and 92nd in PPA last season. Struggling against an FCS team last week shows there hasn’t been much progress.
The Raiders have some playmakers who can create separation — Omari Kelly, Myles Butler and Holden Willis — but nobody is a difference maker. Most of the success came via the ground and even that was a little suspect.
Redshirt senior Frank Peasant ran for 50 yards, averaged five yards per carry and tallied two touchdowns.
We talk about the lack of progress in the passing attack, but last season, MTSU was one of the worst rushing teams in the country. It was 90th in Success Rate and 98th in PPA in 2023 and I don’t expect that to improve against a daunting Ole Miss defensive line.
Ole Miss Betting Preview: Electric as They Come
The Rebels come in with a whole lot of expectations, including those for Heisman hopeful Jaxson Dart.
Dart was slinging passes left and right against Furman. He finished with an astounding 81% completion rate, 418 yards, five passing touchdowns and a rushing touchdown to boot. I realize who the opponent was, but that was a statement game for the senior.
I mentioned Bentley earlier because I think there’s going to be more of an emphasis on getting him involved. He didn’t get a whole lot of carries against Furman, but I think Bentley has the potential to break out on Saturday.
While with SMU in his redshirt-freshman year, he posted 1,087 scrimmage yard. However, he hasn’t been able to replicate that due to cluttered running back rooms in his career. PFF labeled him as one of the highest-graded returning running backs in 2024, so there’s a lot of hope for Bentley to contribute to a team that was 55th in Success Rate and 54th in explosiveness.
The receiving corps is self-explanatory and led by Tre Harris, who's expected to have another monster year. Last week, Harris brought in 179 yards with two touchdowns.
I also love Cayden Lee and Antwane Wells Jr., who can each be No. 1 receivers in their own right. I fully expect Harris to be double-teamed often, so look out for either Lee or Wells to have a big day.
Last season, the Rebels weren’t great at stopping the run, but I can see that improving. After bringing in Walter Nolen from Texas A&M, I’d have to imagine running backs will think twice before running through that brick wall.
Middle Tennessee vs Ole Miss Pick & Prediction
Ole Miss has a knack for stomping mudholes into bottom-of-the-barrel programs. In Week 1 of ‘23, the Rebels took Mercer to the cleaners and Furman felt the same wrath this year.
If you couldn’t tell already, I’m extremely low on Middle Tennessee this season and can’t envision any way it wins this week — especially given that it went 0-6 on the road last season.
The Rebels simply have too much talent. If Dart can’t throw to Harris, he has Lee or Wells. If Bentley is struggling running, go to Henry Parrish Jr. or Matt Jones.
I went to the Action Network app to see what the public was thinking, and I couldn’t agree more. This won’t be a close matchup and I see the Rebels pulling away rather quickly.
Pick: Ole Miss 1H -27.5 (-105)
How to Watch Middle Tennessee vs Ole Miss Live: Start Time, TV Channel, Location
| Location: | Vaught Hemingway Stadium, Oxford, MS |
| Date: | Saturday, Sept. 7 |
| Kickoff Time: | 4:15 p.m. ET |
| TV / Streaming: | SEC Network |
Middle Tennessee vs Ole Miss Betting Trends
- 68% of tickets generated and 84% of the money lean towards Ole Miss covering.
- 51% of tickets and a staggering 88% of the money are backing the Over.
