Ole Miss vs. Vanderbilt Prediction, Game Preview
Ole Miss vs. Vanderbilt prediction and game preview. Projecting who wins the SEC matchup between the Rebels and Commodores.
Ole Miss vs. Vanderbilt prediction and game preview. Projecting who wins the SEC matchup between the Rebels and Commodores.
Ole Miss vs. Vanderbilt Game Preview
When: Saturday, November 19 – 8:00 p.m. ET
Where: Vanderbilt Stadium, Nashville, TN
TV Broadcast: SEC Network
Ole Miss scored 23 points in the fourth quarter to upset Texas A&M in College Station this past Saturday as quarterback Shae Patterson, seeing his first playing time since the injury to Chad Kelly, threw for 338 yards and two touchdowns. Kicker Gary Wunderlich hit the game-winning 39-yard field goal with 37 seconds left to complete the comeback.
Vanderbilt’s bowl hopes took a major shot as the Commodores lost to Missouri 26-17 in Columbia. Quarterback Kyle Shurmur threw two interceptions to no touchdowns, while star running back Ralph Webb could only muster 34 yards on the ground.
What To Know About Ole Miss
That was a heck of a collegiate debut for Patterson, wasn’t it? The freshman who Ole Miss had planned to redshirt this season came in and took reins of the Rebels’ offense. Now, he must do the same against a Vanderbilt defense that allows only 22 points per game. The rushing attack will have to help him some by taking the pressure off of him in the pocket.
Vanderbilt’s offense is not exactly a dominant one, but Webb can do some damage when he gets going. Ole Miss is near the bottom of the FBS in rushing defense, allowing 229.10 yards on the ground per game. Make Shurmur beat you with his arm, and you will have success.
What to Know About Vanderbilt
Shurmur has looked good at times this season, but he is not able to beat you single-handedly. The running game will have to help a lot, with Webb being the feature back. Getting Webb and some other runners rolling would set up the pass for the Commodores.
You can’t talk about the Vanderbilt defense without mentioned linebacker Zach Cunningham, who continues to prove to SEC teams that they should not have overlooked him coming out of high school. While the Commodores clamps down on points per game, the defense does have a tendency to give up yards.
Advantages
Offense: Ole Miss. The future for Ole Miss is now with Patterson under center.
Defense: Vanderbilt. Cunningham will be a star at the next level.
Special Teams: Ole Miss. That was a clutch kick by Wunderlich to give Ole Miss the win.
Coaching: Ole Miss. Can Derek Mason survive another season of missing out on a bowl game in Nashville?
Intangibles: Ole Miss. The Rebels have a good chance at finishing the season with four straight wins.
Matchup To Watch
Shea Patterson vs. Expectations
How does Patterson follow up his debut against a stout defense?
Ole Miss vs. Vanderbilt Betting Odds
Spread: Ole Miss -10
Over/Under: 49.5
Ole Miss vs. Vanderbilt Prediction
After playing in front of more than 104,000 at Kyle Field, the Vanderbilt crowd will seem like a high school crowd to Patterson. Don’t let that fool him, though, as the Commodores can bring the heat on offense. Ole Miss will struggle in the first half before pulling out a needed win in the second half and become bowl eligible.
Ole Miss vs. Vanderbilt Score Prediction: Ole Miss 27, Vanderbilt 19
