Ole Miss at Memphis 8/31/19 - College Football Picks & Predictions

On Saturday August 31 the Ole Miss Rebels travel to play the Memphis Tigers at Liberty Bowl Memorial Coliseum in Memphis, Tennessee for the opening game of the college football season for both teams.

In 2018, Ole Miss finished the season a disappointing 5-7. The Rebels have a new quarterback starting this season. Matt Corral has a strong arm but appeared in just one game last season for the Rebels. The Ole Miss offense will be centered round running back Scottie Phillips. The key to the success of Ole Miss will be an improved offensive line to protect Corral and open holes for Phillips, and a tougher defense that last season was one of the nation’s worst.

Memphis was 8-6 in 2018 and has most of its top skill position players back. Brady White returns at quarterback, while running back Patrick Taylor is back as is wide receiver Damonte Coxie. The up-tempo potent offense of last year will continue this season for the Tigers. The Memphis defense improved as the season went on last year. The Tigers hired defensive coordinator Adam Fuller to make an average defense one of the AAC’s best in 2019. Matt Corral starts at quarterback for the Rebels. Last season Corral threw for 239 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Scottie Phillips is back from last season. Phillips led the Rebels with 928 yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground. Elijah Moore is the returning receiver with the most yardage from last season. Moore caught 36 passes for 398 yards and two touchdowns.

Memphis quarterback Brady White led the Tigers last season with 3,296 yards passing, 26 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Patrick Taylor is the top rusher returning from last season. Taylor rushed for 1,122 yards and 16 touchdowns. The top returning wide receiver is Damonte Coxie. Last season Coxie caught 72 passes for 1,174 yards and seven touchdowns.