Ole Miss Rebels 2024 College Football Preview
Posted July 22, 2024
2023 Recap
Record – 11-2
ATS – 7-4-2
Yes, guy.
The FIGHTING LANE KIFFINS had a wonderful season and booked the first 11-win season in school history. The Rebels lost two games all year and both of those were completely understandable (at ROLL TIDE, at Georgia). Ole Miss finished on a powerful note by taking down mighty Penn St in the Peach Bowl (W 38-25) to finish at 11-2, and in the process, set up some big expectations for the 2024 season. Let’s go!
Ole Miss Rebels 2024 Outlook
OFFENSE
The Rebels did a fine job on offense LY (462 YPG, #16 FBS; 35 PPG, #16) and as per usual they did it in a balanced manner. QB Jaxson Dart is back for another season and he’s an efficient passer (3,364, 23-5 TD to INT) with underrated mobility (391, 8 TD). Ole Miss loses stud RB Quinshon Judkins (1,158, 15 TD LY) but note that he only averaged 4.3 (!) YPC last season. The Rebels loaded up in the transfer portal and acquired a few talented RB specimens including 1,000-yard rusher Rashad Amos (Miami Ohio) and Henry Parrish (Miami Fla) who’ll be a great complement to the returning Ulysses Bentley (540, 4 TD, 5.7). The WR/TE weaponry is devastating as they return two of their top-three WRs including Tre Harris (985, 18.2, 8 TD) along with star TE Caden Prieskorn (449, 4 TD, 15.0). As if that wasn’t enough firepower, please welcome to town former South Carolina star WR Antwane Wells who dominated in 2021 and 2022 (1,250, 928 receiving yards). The offensive line isn’t CHOCK FULL of stars but they return an impossible 222 career starts and will be more than adequate to get the job done. Yup, we can’t wait to see this offense COOK.
DEFENSE
Ole Miss has played some underrated defense over the L3Y (23,26,25 PPG) whilst achieving impressive PENETRATION (35/35/39 sacks). More good things are expected in 2024 and it starts up front with the best DL that Lane Kiffin has had during his time in Oxford. DE Jared Ivey was the co-leader in sacks LY (5.5) and DT JJ Pegues does good work in the middle, and note the additions of DT Walter Nolen from Texas A&M and Princely Umanmielen from Florida (7 sacks LY). The LB corps appears average on paper but maybe WOO PIG transfer Chris Paul can have a big year? The secondary looks like one of the more underrated defensive units in the SEC as they’ve got an excellent safety combo (Washington, Saunders), and don’t sleep on DB Yam Banks who did fine work during his tenure with South Alabama. CB could be a soft spot and we’ll have to see how the transfer portal specimens pan out. This is clearly an above-average SEC stop unit and they could be really good if an elite pass rusher emerges. <grabs popcorn>
SPECIAL TEAMS
The Rebels appear set in this area as all the key components return for duty and they ranked #48 in the Phil Steele special teams rankings LY. Players to keep an eye on include PR Jordan Watkins (9.5, TD) and PK Caden Davis (18/23 FG, 45/45 XP LY).
Schedule Analysis
Overall – We LIKEY LIKEY. The non-conference schedule is a complete joke and the Rebels’ first two SEC games are vs Kentucky and at South CACKALACKY. The toughest conference games are both at home (Sooners, Georgia) and their toughest SEC road test is at LSU.
Potential ATS Trouble Spot – at WOO PIG (Nov 2)
The Rebels have to travel to face Arkansas in between yuuuge home dates with Oklahoma and Georgia. Also be aware that the home team has won the last five meetings. Not saying, just saying.
Season Win Total
Market consensus July 22
Over 9.5 -130
Under 9.5 +110
NOTE – “Lean” implies that this is how we’d invest in this market if forced to make a choice. We’ll notify subscribers in our Season Win Total blog post of any season win totals that we have made our investment card.
MEGALOCKS says:
No leanage.
We really like this squad but there might be more value in the futures markets (make the CFP, win the SEC, etc.) Stay tuned!
MEGAmazing Tidbits
HC Lane Kiffin has been a good bully at Ole Miss as he’s 11-5 ATS (69%) in non-conference action.
Ole Miss has only booked four double-digit winning seasons since 1971 (!) and TWO of those have come in the L3Y under the tutelage of Lane Kiffin.
The Rebels haven’t won a conference title since way back in 1963 when they won the SEC for the 3rd time in four years under legendary HC Johnny Vaught. Fun fact: Ole Miss was a combined 16-0-2 in conference play during those three championship campaigns.
Oxford = HOTTIES o’ plenty. **
** Fact check: You betcha.
MEGALOCKS Forecast:
We must confess that we’re PUMPED for Ole Miss football this year. The offense is absolutely loaded and the only potential FLY in the OINTMENT is the backup QB situation should something happen to star QB Jaxson Dart. The defense doesn’t have any glaring weaknesses thanks to the transfer portal and the schedule is very manageable. We believe this team is a legit threat to make it to the SEC Championship Game and believe we’ll see them in the College Football Playoff.
HOTTY TODDY!