CFB YTD Record: 12-5
The 9th-ranked Ole Miss Rebels will head to Baton Rouge to take on the 13th-ranked LSU Tigers on Saturday, October 12. Each team comes into this matchup with a loss but both squads are still very much alive in the new 12-team playoff race!
Which team will come away victorious? Check out our betting preview below for this sensational SEC matchup! Enjoy the game, folks! This could be an instant classic!
Most online sportsbooks opened this game with Ole Miss as a two-point road favorite. Most of the early action came in on the Rebels on Sunday afternoon, which pushed the line out to its current number of Ole Miss -3.
As for the total, oddsmakers are expecting a high scoring affair. Most shops have this number in the 63.5 to 64.5 range as of Monday morning. Since this matchup involves two prolific offenses, it's not too big of a shock to see a total this high.
Ole Miss bounced back from a shocking loss to Kentucky by dismantling South Carolina to the tune of 27-3 last Saturday. It was an impressive performance by the Rebels, especially since it was on the road at Williams-Bryce Stadium. Ole Miss will need to find that type of mojo for a wild atmosphere in Baton Rouge on Saturday night.
The Rebels offense is powered by veteran QB Jaxson Dart, who has already thrown for 2,100 yards and 13 touchdowns on the young season. Dart is a legitimate dual threat that can make life miserable for opposing defenses. His favorite target this year has been Tre Harris, who has already hauled in 52 receptions for 885 yards and 5 touchdowns.
Ole Miss's defense has looked fabulous so far in 2024, as they rank 2nd in yards per rush allowed and 24th in yards per pass allowed. Jared Ivey does a great job of getting pressure on the QB, as he's already racked up 5 sacks this season. Linebacker Suntarine Perkins has also been a force, as he's already been credited with 4.5 sacks and an interception.
The Tigers dropped a heartbreaker to USC to open the season, but their offense has been clicking on all cylinders ever since. Brian Kelly has simplified the playbook for Garrett Nussmeier, and it's paid huge dividends. LSU is averaging 33 points per game and 7 yards per play in 2024.
Replacing Heisman winner Jayden Daniels has been a tall order for Nussmeier, but he's responded well by throwing for 1,652 yards and 15 touchdowns so far. He's also done a decent job of taking care of the ball, as he's only thrown 4 picks.
Bradyn Swinson is the straw that stirs the drink for the LSU defense. The senior defensive end leads the team in sacks with 5. As a whole, the Tigers defense has been very good against the run but kind of suspect against the pass.
I don't mind paying a little extra juice over at BetRivers to get this number under a field goal. While it makes me super nervous laying points on the road in Tiger Stadium, it's the only way I can look in this one.
Both of these teams are loaded with talent, but I think Ole Miss has a little more depth after bringing in a ton of stars in the transfer portal. Jaxson Dart has played in quite a few of these hostile road games.
Garrett Nussmeier has a lot of talent, but he hasn't played in too many of these big boy games. I'm betting the Ole Miss defense can get some pressure on him and force a key turnover or two. Let's lay the small number with the Rebs.
Prediction: Ole Miss 34 - LSU 28