Louisville vs Ole Miss Odds and Picks – September 6th

• Ole Miss and Louisville clash in Week 1 on Monday, September 6th at 8:00 PM EST
• Rebels’ coach Lane Kiffin will miss the game after testing positive for COVID-19
• Read below for odds, game preview and betting picks

Week 1 of the 2021 College Football season wraps up with a Labor Day matchup between Ole Miss and Louisville. The Rebels and Cardinals faceoff at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Monday, September 6th. Kickoff is set for 8:00 PM EST on ESPN.

Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin will miss the game after testing positive for COVID-19. The Rebels have a high-powered offense led by junior quarterback Matt Corral, while the Cardinals are also dangerous offensively with junior QB Malik Cunningham.

Oddsmakers have set an exceptionally high game total in anticipation of a shootout. Which side offers better value?

Louisville vs Ole Miss Odds

Odds as of Sept 5 at DraftKings

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Rebels Are Loaded Offensively

Lane Kiffin and Ole Miss are out to wreak havoc in the 2021 College Football season after decimating defenses one year ago.

The Rebels ranked third nationally in total offense last season, averaging 556 yards and 39 points per game. They return starting QB Matt Corral, who threw for 3,337 yards and 29 TDs with 14 interceptions in 2020.

Ole Miss average yards per pass play:

2020: 9.1 (6th)
2019: 6.1 (155th)

Lane Kiffin and Matt Corral are going to be scary in 2021 ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/B0897mtoiJ

— PFF College (@PFF_College) September 1, 2021

Offense is the backbone of this Ole Miss team and the reason they picked up five victories during the 2020 season. Corral does lose his favorite receiver target from 2020 in Elijah Moore, but the Rebels do return Dontario Drummond and Braylon Sanders. The Rebels are also loaded at running back, including Jerrion Ealy, who ran for 745 yards and nine TDs in 2020.

Defense is once again a question mark for Mississippi entering the season. The Rebels ranked second-last in total defense last season, averaging 519 yards allowed per game. The positive is the defense showed improvement in the Outback Bowl against Indiana and return almost everybody from that unit, including several seniors.

Cardinals Can Also Sling It

Much like their Week 1 opponent, Louisville is an offensively-minded football team that relies heavily on its passing attack. The Cardinals managed four victories in the ACC last season primarily due to their explosive offense that put up 444 yards and  30 points per game. Dual-threat QB Malik Cunningham returns after throwing for 2,617 yards and 20 TDs with 12 picks in 2020.

Cunningham has shown the ability to put the team on his back, but there are questions regarding his supporting cast. The Cardinals have lost their top two receivers from last season in Dez Fitzpatrick and Tutu Atwell to the NFL, while leading rusher Javian Hawkins is also gone. Louisville will need several players to step up in 2021, including true freshman WR Jordan Watkins.

Louisville did show some improvement defensively last season, finishing third in the ACC with 369 yards and 27 points allowed per game. They’re likely to take a step back in 2021, however, as the Cardinals lose six defensive starters, including top tacklers Rodjay Burns and Dorian Etheridge. The positive is that leading tackler C.J. Avery and top corner Kei’Trel Clark are back for another year.

What’s The Best Bet?

This spread has been climbing steadily in the Rebels’ direction after opening with Ole Miss only favored by around a touchdown. It dipped by half a point when Kiffin was ruled out, but don’t let his absence heavily sway your decision. This is still Kiffin’s scheme and the offense will be following the gameplan of OC Jeff Lebby.

🙏🏻 @OleMissFB pic.twitter.com/aQIznjVGNi

— Lane Kiffin (@Lane_Kiffin) September 4, 2021

Cunningham poses a dangerous threat to the Ole Miss defense due to his mobility, but the Rebels should be able to limit him given the Cardinals’ losses at the other skill positions. They’ve had plenty of time to study the tape and develop a gameplan for the talented pivot. Cunningham loses his top two receivers and doesn’t have an experienced runner in the backfield.

There are players who could breakout for Louisville this year, but trusting Corral and the experienced Rebels in Week 1 is the play. 17 starters are back for Ole Miss, including All-SEC caliber runner Ealy, who should have a big day against Louisville’s inexperienced defense. Look for the Rebels to win by at least two scores in a high-flying shootout.

• Pick: Ole Miss -10 (-105)