SEC Predictions Week 2: Picking Games Against the Spread
Sep 5, 2015; Oxford, MS, USA; Mississippi Rebels running back Akeem Judd (21) carries the ball as Tennessee Martin Skyhawks defensive lineman Damani Taylor (91) defends at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. The Rebels won 76 – 3. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
- Date: Saturday September 12, 2014
- Time: 3:30PM Eastern
- Location: Oxford, MS
- TV Channel: ESPN2
- Spread: Ole Miss -30
- Over/Under Total: 56
It’s important not to get too excited about a blowout victory over a mediocre FCS opponent, but wow did Ole Miss look good Saturday in their 76-3 win over UT-Martin.
The Rebels rolled up 662 yards of total offense against the Skyhawks, and starting quarterback Chad Kelly was a solid 9-for-15 for 211 yards passing with touchdowns of 56 and 57 yards, and he also scored on a 20-yard touchdown run. The running game was terrific and amassed 338 yards on 36 carries (9.4 yards per attempt) even without star left tackle Laremy Tunsil. So, in terms of answering the two biggest questions facing the team entering the season – the quarterback position and the rushing attack – the Rebels passed with flying colors.
Ole Miss was as good as usual defensively, too, holding UTM to 290 yards of total offense and forcing an interception, which Trae Elston returned for a 93-yard touchdown. That means the Ole Miss defense outscored its opponent in Week 1.
Fresno State will provide more of a challenge in Week 2. The Bulldogs are one of the most consistent Group of Five programs in the nation and have represented the Mountain West’s Western Division in the league championship game in the last two seasons. Fresno hasn’t been a strong passing team since Derek Carr graduated, but Marteze Waller had 1,368 rushing yards and 11 TDs last season and had 154 last week in the team’s 34-13 victory over Abilene Christian. Expect the Bulldogs to feed Waller early and often in hopes of keeping the ball away from Ole Miss.
Next: Middle Tennessee at Alabama