Ole Miss and Vanderbilt open their respective SEC schedules coming off drastically different games in Week 1. The Rebels and Commodores meet Saturday afternoon at Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville, with kickoff scheduled for 4:30 p.m. ET and television coverage on ESPN.
How to watch Ole Miss vs. Vanderbilt: Preview, TV/streaming, odds, more
The Rebels are big favorites. Can the Commodores bounce back and make the game closer than expected?
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Ole Miss struggled for three quarters against Boise State, but the Rebs finally pulled away in the fourth quarter for a 35-13 win. There's plenty of room for improvement, but if Bo Wallace can consistently perform like he did in the second half against Boise, rather than the first, that and a solid defense will make for a dangerous team.
Vanderbilt, well ... Vanderbilt lost to Temple, 37-7, at home in Week 1. That’s not good. The only Commodores touchdown came on a fumble recovery in the end zone. Vanderbilt’s offense put up a measly 278 yards against a defense that allowed 474.3 per game last year and committed seven turnovers. The only real positive: Vanderbilt got away with wearing illegal uniforms thanks to a misunderstood email. Anchor Down!
How to witness
TV: 4:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
Radio: Ole Miss; Vanderbilt
Online streaming: WatchESPN
The numbers
Rankings and records: At 1-0, Ole Miss enters the game ranked No. 15 in the AP Top 25 and No. 17 in the USA Today Coaches’ Poll. Vanderbilt is 0-1 and nowhere near anyone’s top 25. Just a reminder: They lost to Temple.
Vegas: Ole Miss opened as a 14-point favorite, and that line has shot up to 20.5 points at most sportsbooks. The over/under is set at 49.5.
Weather forecast: Forecasters are predicting possible thunderstorms throughout the day in Nashville, with game time temperatures in the low 80s.
Three names to know
Bo Wallace, Ole Miss QB
For better or worse, Wallace makes things interesting. He threw for four touchdowns and three interceptions last week against Boise State, but his 387 passing yards were enough to put away the Broncos. He’ll look to improve on that performance, but his eight interceptions in Ole Miss’ last four games are certainly cause for concern.
Vanderbilt’s three-ring quarterback circus
Stephen Rivers, Patton Robinette and Johnny McCrary all played against Temple, and they combined to complete 16 of 34 passes for 224 yards and three interceptions. Head coach Derek Mason hasn't named a starter for Saturday's game, but it might not matter.
Robert Nkemdiche, Ole Miss DT
Vandy’s offensive line has issues, and Nkemdiche has the talent to make the Commodores quarterback, whomever that may be, wish he hadn’t been sent out onto the field. The former five-star prospect is now listed at nearly 300 pounds, and has the quickness and strength to singlehandedly dismantle opposing offenses.
Two things at stake
Ole Miss is trying to open its SEC West contention with a win against an inferior opponent. Considering how bad Vanderbilt looked against Temple, a loss would be disastrous.
The Commodores are just trying to avoid another disaster on their home field, against an opponent much more talented than Temple.
Further reading
For all things Ole Miss, visit Red Cup Rebellion. For more Vanderbilt coverage, check out Anchor of Gold. Team Speed Kills is the place for SEC content.
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