It’s the third meeting between the two schools with Ole Miss
winning in 2010 and 2011, and now it’s a chance for the Mountain West to make some noise. Ole Miss is coming off a 76-3 layup over UT Martin, and now it’s up to Fresno State to make it a fight after taking down Abilene Christian to kick things off.

Below we dive into the matchup in the Ole Miss vs. Fresno State prediction and game preview.

Ole Miss vs. Fresno State Prediction & Preview

Broadcast

Date: Saturday, September 12
Game Time: 3:30 ET
Network: ESPN2

Why You Need To Care

This is the big one for Ole Miss to use to get ready for the rematch. Next week it’s a trip to Alabama for a chance to really kick the season into overdrive, but first the offense that rolled at will against UT Martin needs to keep the momentum going. The O is supposed to take a little while to come around, while the defense needs to be in mid-season form with the run D about to crank things back up. Fresno State might not be able to help the Rebels tune up.

Fresno State got by Abilene Christian without much of a problem, but the offense wasn’t smooth, the passing game wasn’t great, and there was a lot to work on going into the key stretch. This is the fun national payday game, but it kicks off a run of three road dates in four weeks, with Utah up next before diving into the Mountain West going to San Jose State and San Diego State.

Why Ole Miss Will Win

It’s going to be ugly is Fresno State is as inefficient throwing the ball as it was last week. The offensive balance was nearly perfect, but it wasn’t pretty with Zack Greenlee only hitting 44% of his throws for 156 yards and three touchdowns with a pick. It took a whole bunch of throws to get the offense moving, and if the Rebels don’t have to worry about the downfield pass, the land shark defense will swarm around the Marteze Waller and the Fresno State ground game. Even with defensive tackle Isaac Gross out for the year with a neck injury, the line should be a brick wall.

Why Fresno State Will Win

Don’t be fooled quite yet by the Ole Miss running game. It rolled at will on the UT Martin defensive front, and Fresno State doesn’t have a brick wall up front, but it’s an athletic line that should be decent at getting into the backfield from time to time. Against Abilene Christian the Bulldogs cranked out five sacks from sides, especially the linebacking corps, and allowed just 34 rushing yards. Ole Miss will be able to pound a bit, but star tackle Laremy Tunsil is still a part of an NCAA investigation and the line really isn’t as strong yet as it looked against the FCSer.

Player Who Matters

Everyone got a chance at quarterback for Ole Miss against UTM. Starter Chad Kelly threw for an explosive 211 yards with two touchdowns and an interception, Ryan Buchanan stepped in and threw two touchdowns, and DeVante Kincade hit six of his seven passes for 55 yards and a score. Kelly has the arm and he has the poise, and this is the game he’ll have to show he can do even more considering he’ll have to hold up under the pressure against Alabama next week.

What’s Going To Happen?

Ole Miss will look fantastic again. The defense didn’t give it the full effort last week, but that’s about to change. Fresno State won’t get anything going on the ground, and Greenlee and the passing attack won’t be able to make up for it.

Ole Miss vs. Fresno State Score Prediction

Without further ado, the Ole Miss vs. Fresno State prediction is …

Final Score: Ole Miss 41, Fresno State 16

Must See Rating: 5: Ferrell Takes the Field – 1: A Walk in The Woods … 2.5

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