Vanderbilt football vs. Ole Miss: Score prediction, scouting report

Aria Gerson, Nashville Tennessean
·2 min read

Vanderbilt football faces a litmus test against No. 9 Ole Miss.

Despite being a top-10 team, the Rebels (5-0, 1-0 SEC) haven't always looked the part, struggling to pull away from Troy and Tulsa. Regardless, they're undefeated and the Commodores (3-2, 0-1) face a tough task on Saturday (3 p.m. CT, SEC Network) against a highly talented squad.

Here's what to know about the matchup:

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Ole Miss has a strong rushing offense

Contrary to assumptions about Lane Kiffin's up-tempo offense, the Rebels are actually a better rushing team than passing. They rank first in the SEC in rushing yards and have a strong offensive line that ranks among the best in the conference at avoiding tackles for loss and sacks. But Ole Miss' passing offense is middle of the pack and quarterback Jaxson Dart has thrown three interceptions.

Thus, it will be most important for Vanderbilt to stop the run, forcing Dart to test his arm. If Vanderbilt is able to keep this game close, it will be due to forcing turnovers and stealing possessions.

Disruptive pass rush

Compared to last season, the Rebels are improved defensively, particularly in disrupting passes. The defense is second in the SEC in both tackles for loss and sacks. While Vanderbilt rates out relatively well overall in avoiding negative plays, Alabama sacked quarterback AJ Swann five times, making better offensive line play a necessity. Swann will have to work at getting the ball out quickly and making smart decisions to avoid havoc plays.

Success in the recent past

Vanderbilt is 40-52 against Ole Miss all time but 8-9 against the Rebels since 2005. The Commodores most recently picked up a win in the series in 2018.

The recent success has put a little bit more juice into the longstanding rivalry. This year, though, with the Rebels on the upswing and Vanderbilt still trying to find its way out of the wilderness, an upset would be monumental.

Score prediction

Ole Miss 38, Vanderbilt 24: The Commodores may well be able to keep this one close due to the Rebels' mistakes in the passing game, but Ole Miss' talent wins out in the end.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Vanderbilt football: Score prediction, scouting report vs. Ole Miss