No. 20 Ole Miss visits a No. 24 Tulane team seeking an early signature win

No. 20 Mississippi (1-0) at No. 24 Tulane (1-0), Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (ESPNU)

Line: Mississippi by 7 1/2, according to FanDuel Sportsbook

Series record: Ole Miss leads, 42-28.

WHAT’S AT STAKE?

Both teams need to win, or at least play this non-conference game close, to remain in the AP Top 25. Following a lopsided victory over a lower-tier opponent that did not challenge them, the Rebels could use a victory over a ranked opponent before beginning its tough SEC schedule. A Tulane victory would put the Green Wave on an early trajectory to vie for a second straight New Years Six bowl bid.

KEY MATCHUP

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Mississippi: QB Jaxson Dart passed for 334 yards and four TDs in less than three quarters in the Rebels’ 73-7 rout of Mercer last weekend.

Tulane: Fourth-year QB Michael Pratt was named American Athletic Conference offensive player of the week after connecting on 14 of 15 passes for 294 yards and four TDs — three of 47 or more yards — in a 37-17 victory over South Alabama last weekend.

FACTS & FIGURES

Mississippi has won the past 12 meetings on the field, including results that were subsequently vacated because of NCAA infractions. … Tulane has won its past three games against ranked teams. … This game will mark the first time a ranked opponent from a power conference has visited Tulane’s on-campus Yulman Stadium, which opened in 2014. It is also the first time Tulane has hosted a power conference team since Wake Forest visited in 2018. … Ole Miss broke its single-game record for yards passing with 524 (from three different QBs) against Mercer. … The Rebels’ 73 points against Mercer were the most under current coach Lane Kiffin and tied for seventh most in a game in school history. … Tulane’s defense forced four turnovers last week on two fumble recoveries and two interceptions (Tulane’s offense also forced a turnover during a South Alabama fumble return). … Tulane’s defense held South Alabama to 75 yards rushing last week. … Pratt was given time off from practice this week after taking several heavy hits in Tulane’s opener, but coach Willie Fritz said Pratt would start.