Missouri vs Ole Miss Best Bets, Odds & SEC Football Prediction
By Eric Rosales in College Football
Published:
- Missouri vs Ole Miss headlines Saturday’s SEC slate with major postseason implications
- A critical rushing matchup in the trenches could shape the entire game script
- Read below for my best bets, the latest odds and my SEC football prediction
The No. 13 Missouri Tigers travel south to face the No. 9 Ole Miss Rebels in a high-stakes SEC showdown. Kickoff is slated for 3:30pm ET on Saturday, October 17, at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, with the game airing on the SEC Network.
Both programs are hunting for a playoff spot in a crowded conference landscape. Missouri enters at 5-1 after a dominant 27-6 win over Texas A&M, and I expect the Tigers to bring a physical brand of football into this hostile road environment.
Ole Miss sits at 4-1 and looks to protect its home turf after throttling Vanderbilt 52-17 while forcing four turnovers. This is a classic battle of explosive offenses, making it a fascinating puzzle for bettors to solve.
Missouri vs Ole Miss Best Bets
- Pick: Missouri +5 (-111 at BetMGM)
When evaluating this Missouri vs Ole Miss matchup, the ground game presents a clear edge for the road underdog. Missouri relies on a punishing ground and pound attack to control the clock and wear down opposing defensive fronts.
Running back Jamal Roberts has racked up 828 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on 147 carries across six games. His most recent outing was his best, as he logged 222 yards and two scores on 34 carries against Texas A&M.
Ole Miss has shown real vulnerability against the run, surrendering 176.4 rushing yards per game. I expect Roberts to find room in the trenches, especially with Missouri needing him to carry an even bigger load.
Instead of laying the points with the home favorite, I prefer grabbing the cushion. Missouri averages 35.8 points per game, giving the Tigers the firepower to keep this contest tight into the fourth quarter.
- Pick: Over 58.5 (-111 at BetMGM)
I am also backing the Over in this spot. Missouri averages 35.8 points per game and Ole Miss averages 38.8, so both offenses are capable of scoring quickly. That gives this Missouri vs Ole Miss total a realistic path past 58.5 points.
Ole Miss allows 28.0 points per game, which suggests Missouri can do its part on the scoreboard. You can track these lines and more college football odds throughout the weekend.
Missouri vs Ole Miss Odds
Odds as of October 19. Claim the BetMGM promo code before betting this SEC matchup.
The Missouri vs Ole Miss odds position the Rebels as a clear home favorite. Ole Miss at -217 carries an implied probability of roughly 68.5% before the sportsbook margin, while Missouri at +180 implies about 35.7%.
A $20 wager on Missouri at +180 would return $56 if the Tigers win outright. I still prefer taking the five points over the moneyline, since the spread gives Missouri a cushion in a game I expect to stay close.
Missouri vs Ole Miss SEC Football Prediction
This game features two productive passing attacks. Trinidad Chambliss leads Ole Miss with 1,435 passing yards and 11 touchdowns through five games, while Missouri quarterback Austin Simmons has 1,434 passing yards and 14 touchdowns.
The defensive metrics separate these two SEC squads. Missouri allows just 17.7 points per game and only 78.3 rushing yards per game. That stout front could force Ole Miss to lean heavily on Chambliss and its passing game.
Injuries matter here too. Per the SEC Friday availability report, Missouri running back Ahmad Hardy is out, which puts more weight on Roberts. Missouri receiver Cayden Lee is probable, while tight end Brett Norfleet and linebacker Jeremiah Beasley are listed as questionable.
The combination of a productive rushing attack and a strong run defense gives Missouri a structural advantage. My SEC football prediction is a high-scoring, competitive game where the underdog stays within the number, so I am taking the points and the Over.
Bettors comparing platforms can also look at Novig as another option, and our Novig promo code page covers how to get started.
Sports Writer & Editor
Having worked in and around sports since 1997, Eric is truly a knowledgeable expert. The two-time journalism grad specializes in all things NBA and NFL. From TSN.ca to CTV's Olympic Broadcast Consortium, Eric's work has appeared in local and national publications alike.