SPIRIT’S PICKS: Will Ole Miss football open up the season with a stress-free win over Mercer?
Finally, the talk can be over and football can be played as Ole Miss opens up the 2023 season on Saturday with Mercer.
In analyzing this game from every angle and every category this is a game Ole Miss should put in the win column early if all systems are functioning at full capacity.
Here at the Ole Miss Spirit we believe this is going to be the case but what might the score be well, lets take a look at the first round of Spirit’s Picks of the year.
BEN GARRETT — OLE MISS SPIRIT EDITOR
It’ll be basic. It’ll probably be boring.
But Ole Miss football is back, and that’s all that matters.
Ole Miss 54, Mercer 3
CHUCK ROUNSAVILLE — OLE MISS SPIRIT PUBLISHER
There’s just a big difference in the level of play from Mercer to Ole Miss. There just is. The Southeastern Conference versus the Southern Conference. As good as it gets versus, well, not.
There ‘s just more of everything at Ole Miss – talent, depth, resources, homefield advantage, season opener excitement. Just more. More is more and that spells trouble for the visitors.
The 2023 Rebels will be making their debut and the players are excited, regardless of the opponent. Season openers are like that.
This game with the Bears will be much more about evaluating the Rebels than worrying about a loss. It will be disappointing if the Rebs are not able to “empty the bench” and get tape on every player dressed out and that’s not to disparage Mercer. We’re sure they have some competent players. We’re sure they are going to come into the game with full intentions of an upset or a moral victory, but I just can’t see either happening. The best thing to come out of Macon, GA, isn’t Mercer football – it’s the home base of The Allman Brothers Band.
Mercer is 1-0 after beating North Alabama 17-7 last week and having played a game already is a minor advantage. Their players are older and have a lot of experience, overall. They have faced other SEC teams in the past, but without trying to sound snooty, on paper this should be a mismatch.
The Rebels will leave The Vaught Saturday afternoon with a one-sided victory, but it won’t be the huge blowout on the scoreboard some expect because everyone will get to play.
Ole Miss 45, Mercer 10
JAKE THOMPSON – STAFF WRITER
The proverbial hay is in the barn and Ole Miss is set to strap on the helmet and line up across from someone other than their teammates for the first time since last December.
Plenty of question marks surround the season opener ranging from who is the wide world of sports is going to be the quarterback who marches onto the field with the rest of the offense on the first drive of the game to how is the Pete Golding defense going to look?
The first question will be answered with ease but the second one might take more than the first week to truly answer. But the first showdown with Mercer in 112 years is a good starting point as the first of three tune up games — if we can call Tulane that — before the September 23 showdown in Tuscaloosa.
The Rebels should have no problem with the Bears and this will be in control by halftime. Look for three quarterbacks to get plenty of game time, possibly four if Austin Simmons gets his number called in the second half.
Ole Miss 48, Mercer 10
ZACH BERRY – STAFF WRITER
Jaxson Dart and the Ole Miss offense are down two of its top weapons but it won’t matter. Pete Golding’s new defense gets its sea legs under them in a nice warmup before traveling to Uptown New Orleans next week.
Ole Miss 52, Mercer 13
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