From tidefans.com editor Jess Nicholas:
MISSISSIPPI at FLORIDA
Both teams were in jeopardy of losing their respective games last week, although it’s easier to understand how Florida could be threatened by Tennessee than it is how Ole Miss let Vanderbilt hang around for three quarters. The Rebels were coming off a physical game against Alabama and looking ahead a bit to this one, to be sure. The Gators won in the last minute of its game against the Volunteers off an improbable fourth-down touchdown pass and then a missed-twice field goal attempt. This week, former Alabama offensive coordinator Jim McElwain could do his former employer a good turn by beating the Rebels at home. Ole Miss has to lose twice before Alabama can represent the SEC West again in Atlanta. But Florida, which has gotten off to a strong start under McElwain, likely doesn’t have the offensive firepower to keep pace with Ole Miss’ offense, to say nothing of advancing the ball consistently against the tough Rebel defense. The emotional letdown following a win over the Gators’ second-biggest rival won’t help matters.
Ole Miss 34
Florida 17
MISSISSIPPI at FLORIDA
Both teams were in jeopardy of losing their respective games last week, although it’s easier to understand how Florida could be threatened by Tennessee than it is how Ole Miss let Vanderbilt hang around for three quarters. The Rebels were coming off a physical game against Alabama and looking ahead a bit to this one, to be sure. The Gators won in the last minute of its game against the Volunteers off an improbable fourth-down touchdown pass and then a missed-twice field goal attempt. This week, former Alabama offensive coordinator Jim McElwain could do his former employer a good turn by beating the Rebels at home. Ole Miss has to lose twice before Alabama can represent the SEC West again in Atlanta. But Florida, which has gotten off to a strong start under McElwain, likely doesn’t have the offensive firepower to keep pace with Ole Miss’ offense, to say nothing of advancing the ball consistently against the tough Rebel defense. The emotional letdown following a win over the Gators’ second-biggest rival won’t help matters.
Ole Miss 34
Florida 17
