Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
By Chris Marler
The second game of Saturday’s first round CFP action will head to Oxford, Mississippi for a rematch of an early season blowout. Here’s our Ole Miss-Tulane preview.
Ole Miss wins IF…
They show up.
I don’t think there’s a team in America with a bigger chip on their shoulder than Ole Miss right now. I expect there to be some hiccups at some point considering it’s Pete Golding’s first game as a head coach, but I don’t think there’s a better bet this weekend than Ole Miss -9.5 in the first half of this game. I expect Ole Miss to come out with their hair on fire trying to make a statement that they can win, and win convincingly, on the biggest stage without Lane Kiffin. This was a blowout the first time these two met, and I think this will be much of the same.
The Lane Kiffin part of this game is very intriguing since Ole Miss will be without their head coach who helped get them here. It just so happens that the exact same situation has unfolded for Tulane too. Granted, both sides have handled it much better for Tulane and Jon Sumrall.
Pete Golding on what he wants the culture of his Ole Miss program to be:
“Elite players wanted to get to the NFL to get that payday. Well, they’ve already got it now.
“They’ve got nice cars, in nice condos – shit, some live by the country club with me.” 😂
“Does a guy love… pic.twitter.com/7UAQujY2PU
— SEC Mike (@MichaelWBratton) December 16, 2025
Tulane wins IF…
They can keep it close until the fourth quarter.
There are always growing pains for new head coaches. Remember, Kirby Smart was 8-5 in his first season and lost to Vanderbilt and Georgia Tech, and that was 2016 Vanderbilt and Georgia Tech, not the programs now. I am very excited for Pete Golding’s tenure, and I think he’s more than earned the right to lead Ole Miss. But, this is the same guy that I’ve watched drop Will Anderson into pass coverage on third down instead of rushing the quarterback. Point being, he has a tendency to overthink stuff.
If Tulane can make this game uncomfortable into the fourth quarter by keeping it close, it will get very interesting in Oxford. The moment that happens is the moment that seed of doubt that’s currently in the back of every Ole Miss fans’ mind whether they want to admit it or not. The doubt isn’t about whether they can win against Tulane, but if they can win without Lane Kiffin.
Good morning, New Orleans. 😀 pic.twitter.com/S3deWvxhNl
— CampusConnection💚🌊 (@TulaneShop) December 19, 2025
Ole Miss X Factor – TE Dae’Quan Wright
Wright is a transformer in pads. He looks bigger than everyone on the field every time I see him play. He was awesome in the first meeting against Tulane catching three passes for 71 yards and a touchdown. He’s been great all season as well finishing the regular season with 30 catches for 489 yards and a ridiculous 16.3 yards per catch.
Tulane has been susceptible against tight ends this season. In their last game against North Texas they allowed four receptions for 52 yards and a touchdown to Tre Williams III. I expect Wright to have a big day.
Daequan Wright will be an All-SEC TE next season. pic.twitter.com/vzQj8Gv596
— OMFB (@OleMissFB3) January 3, 2025
Tulane X Factor – RB Jamauri McClure
Tulane couldn’t throw the ball at all against Ole Miss the first time around. The offense begins and ends for the most part with QB Jake Retzlaff, but in the first meeting he was so ineffective he was benched by the second half finishing with a season low 107 yards of offense and just 5-of-17 passing. He was still effective running the ball in that game and has 16 rushing touchdowns on the season with over five yards per carry to boot. He won’t be able to do it all on his own against Ole Miss though and will need some help.
Insert freshman running back Jamauri McClure. He’s been fantastic in the last four games of the season running for 406 yards and over 6.7 yards per carry. Tulane will need him to help shoulder some of the load if they want to move the ball let alone win the game.
Tulane freshman RB Jamauri McClure rushed for 121 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries in the American Conference Championship.
The once hidden gem and Alabama native will now be one of the best running backs in the College Football Playoff. 🙌@DexPreps https://t.co/wHZZueNwu0 pic.twitter.com/9ZO3r3CX66
— Justin Smith (@Jdsmith31Smith) December 6, 2025
Prediction
Tulane is a great story, and I love Jon Sumrall ever since he made the statement about defending the city of New Orleans after their win against Northwestern earlier this year. But, this isn’t going to be a game.
Ole Miss 38 Tulane 13
More SEC News
