Ole Miss Football: Game-by-game predictions for Rebels in 2017

NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 19: Quarterback Shea Patterson #20 of the Ole Miss Rebels drops back against Jay Woods #74 of the Vanderbilt Commodores during the first half at Vanderbilt Stadium on November 19, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 19: Quarterback Shea Patterson #20 of the Ole Miss Rebels drops back against Jay Woods #74 of the Vanderbilt Commodores during the first half at Vanderbilt Stadium on November 19, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /
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FAYETTEVILLE, AR – OCTOBER15: Jalen Julius #7 of the Mississippi Rebels tackles Keon Hatcher #4 of the Arkansas Razorbacks in the second half at Razorback Stadium on October 15, 2016 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Razorbacks defeated the Rebels 34-30. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
FAYETTEVILLE, AR – OCTOBER15: Jalen Julius #7 of the Mississippi Rebels tackles Keon Hatcher #4 of the Arkansas Razorbacks in the second half at Razorback Stadium on October 15, 2016 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Razorbacks defeated the Rebels 34-30. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

The Ole Miss equivalent to the boogeyman. Arkansas has been a pest for Ole Miss, one that Hugh Freeze never really could overcome, losing to them for three straight seasons. Matt Luke and the 2017 Rebels will be looking to change that, and they have a good shot at it.

Every year this looks like a game that Ole Miss should win and yet the usually don’t. The Rebels always seem to have a way better offense, certainly an offense that scores more and yet again they lose this game. Arkansas always seems to frustrate Ole Miss offensively. The Razorbacks really are different from most other SEC West teams, much more traditional on offense.

With that said, Ole Miss should have won this game in 2015, were it not for a fluke 4th and 20 play by Arkansas. Ole Miss should feel that it has a bone to pick with Arkansas. Arkansas should be as steady as ever on offense this year. Defense might be better, but they were bad in 2016, so there really is nowhere but up for that unit to go.

I won’t say Ole Miss will win this game. I’ll say that they have the pieces to win, and they probably should win. But they consistently prove that when it comes to Brett Bielema and the Hogs, they simply are never ready for the challenge. Perhaps that will change under a new head coach? I’ll believe it when I see it. Until then, Arkansas wins this matchup once again.

Final: Arkansas 30, Ole Miss 21 (5-3, 3-3 SEC)