Ole Miss Football: 3 bold predictions vs. Alabama in Week 5

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OXFORD, MS – SEPTEMBER 17: Van Jefferson #12 of the Mississippi Rebels is chased down by Minkah Fitzpatrick #29 of the Alabama Crimson Tide at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on September 17, 2016 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

1. Ole Miss keeps it close — in the first half

The Tide are a 28-point favorite for a reason. If you look at the results between Alabama and Ole Miss over the past three years, you would be surprised by how heavily the Tide is favored. The recovery effort of Ole Miss head coach Matt Luke is still in progress.

This young Rebel offense will come into Bryant-Denny Stadium with a spirited effort that the Tide defense might not be completely ready for. Alabama has not yet seen a passing attack quite like what Ole Miss brings to the table.

Even though it might take head coach Nick Saban a few minutes to get things in order, Alabama is too good to lose this game. However, it will truly measure what point this Ole Miss football program is at as they enter the thick of SEC competition.

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The second half could see backup freshman quarterback Tua Tagovailoa get some snaps. Saban has kept Hurts’ snaps down when the Tide have had big leads early in games. Their lead should not be as big early in the first half, though.

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