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Tennessee football: Vols, SEC, Top 25 predictions for Week 1 of 2018

By Caleb Calhoun

CHARLOTTE, NC - NOVEMBER 11: A general view of the stadium before the game between the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on November 11, 2012 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - NOVEMBER 11: A general view of the stadium before the game between the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on November 11, 2012 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images /

Texas Tech Red Raiders vs. Ole Miss Rebels

Saturday, Sept. 1 at Noon; NRG Stadium; Houston, Texas

TV: ESPN; Line: Texas Tech -2.5; Over/Under: 67

Caleb Calhoun

Here is a game featuring two major offenses but two programs in different states. Kliff Kingsbury could be falling onto the hot seat with the Texas Tech Red Raiders, while the Ole Miss Rebels have a new jolt of energy after naming Matt Luke their head coach full time. It’s Luke’s offensive mind with Jordan Ta’amu at quarterback against Texas Tech’s air raid.

That would make it obvious to take the over in this game, right? Wrong! Texas Tech returns 10 starters on defense, so it’ll be the best defense Kingsbury has ever had. They also have to replace their quarterback, which helps Ole Miss’s defense. I’m taking the shocker here by saying go with the under! In that scenario, though, the consistency at quarterback favors the Rebels. So Ole Miss wins a close one.

Ole Miss: 28 Texas Tech: 24 (Ole Miss +2.5; Under)

Billy Williford

Ole Miss and Texas Tech is a game I will try to watch. The line is close, and the Red Raiders always have a fun offense to watch. However, Ole Miss is going to be able to score points with them.

The Rebels’ starting quarterback Jordan Ta’amu is a fantastic talent. After Shea Patterson left the program, Ta’amu had to step up, and boy did he ever. He attempted a pass in six games last season and finished with 1,682 yards passing on 115 completions with 11 touchdowns and only four interceptions. I think he is the key in this game. If Ta’amu can control the pace and play his game, the Rebels will start the season 1-0.

Ole Miss: 38 Texas Tech: 34 (Ole Miss +2.5; Over)

Garrett Sanders

Ole Miss has the best receiving core in the SEC if not the country. Jordan Ta’amu has a lot of toys to play with. Meanwhile, the Red Raiders secondary is a little banged up right now and will have to cover these receivers short-handed. Texas Tech must pressure Ta’amu and keep Ole Miss’s offense off the field if they want to win this game.

The Red Raiders have a new OC in Kevin Johns who has been known to pound the rock. Meanwhile, Ole Miss has one of the worst defenses in the country. The advantage belongs to Texas Tech because of ball control. This will have a significant impact on this game. Ole Miss won’t have enough time to put up as many points as the Red Raiders. Expect the total number of points to be over 67 with Texas Tech winning it in a close one.

Texas Tech: 38 Ole Miss: 34 (Texas Tech -2.5; Over)

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