Staff Predictions for Alabama vs Ole Miss

Alabama has a lot of history with Ole Miss but rare is the year where the game has national meaning. In a series that has been dominated by the Crimson Tide through the years, fans often overlook this matchup on the schedule every year. That will not be the case on Saturday.

On a schedule that's far from a gauntlet, Alabama has three games that present a challenge on paper. Believe it or not, the Rebels are one of those three. With a talent increase on the roster and no lack in confidence, Ole Miss will travel to Tuscaloosa looking for a program changing upset over #1 Alabama.

We've discussed the game throughout the week but now it's time to put our predictions down on paper.

Baron Huber (Host of Houston & Huber) - Ole Miss presents a tough match for any defensive backfield but especially for the under sized Alabama secondary. McCarron finds a rhythm with Cooper being back but Alabama still won't find the running game the Tide is known for. It's going to be another shootout. Alabama 38 Ole Miss 31

Martin Houston (Host of Houston & Huber) - Tide rights the ship against Rebels! I think after the initial emotional high, the Tide will settle into a rhythm, relying heavily on the arm of AJ McCarron and the play of OJ Howard and that deep WR corp!  I also think the defense plays well. The young DBs handle the bright lights of Bryant Denny. Add in a big special teams performance and the Tide looks like the #1 team in the country. Alabama 34, Ole Miss 17

Chris Stewart (Host of The Chris Stewart Show) – This one could be decided on third down. Bama's defense needs to get off the field and not allow Ole Miss to get in rhythm. The Tide also needs to do a much better job offensively. Only 2 third down conversions last week. Bama plays it's most complete game thus far and wins by 14.

Ryan Fowler (Host of The Game) – Alabama finally plays 'Alabama Football.' Ole Miss is better than a typical Rebel team. They will have success but not enough to beat the best team in college football. Ole Miss has only beaten the Crimson Tide one time outside of the Magnolia State (1988). Alabama wins its 10th in a row in this series. Alabama 35, Ole Miss 21.

Chad Haynie (Producer of Houston & Huber and The Chris Stewart Show) - Let me preface my prediction by saying it is made with the assumption Alabama will not have a fully healthy Deion Belue and Geno Smith on the field at the same time (as Alabama really hasn't all year). To the Alabama fans that think the Crimson Tide will mop the field with the Rebels, I have to ask, what team have you been watching? Based on everything we've seen this year, the Alabama secondary will likely struggle with Donte Moncrief and Laquon Treadwell and because of that this game will remain close. Don't be alarmed if Ole Miss jumps out to a quick lead though, they have all year and have had trouble keeping it. I think AJ McCarron leads the Tide down field late for a game winning touchdown. Alabama 38, Ole Miss 35

Ryan McMunn (Producer of The Game) - In theory, this game really shouldn't be close if you consider the talent top to bottom of both teams. But Ole Miss does have the pieces to compete with Alabama. Any Nick Saban defense is suspect, at best, against mobile quarterbacks, and Bo Wallace is definitely mobile. However, you have to play 4 quarters, and there's just too much talented depth for the Crimson Tide. Alabama 34, Ole Miss 24

Ben George (Digital Managing Editor) – When everyone exits Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday night, we'll know what both of these teams are all about. If Alabama has the team to make history with a three-peat, it will make a statement on the field this weekend and beat Ole Miss by 2-3 scores. But if what we've seen through three games is a trend rather than an anomaly, the Rebels will leave Alabama fans stunned. I tend to lean slightly more towards the former. Alabama 31, Ole Miss 17