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Ole Miss vs Florida State preview, prediction, betting odds

By Connor Muldowney

Jan 1, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Mississippi Rebels quarterback Chad Kelly (10) prior to kickoff in the 2016 Sugar Bowl against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Mississippi Rebels quarterback Chad Kelly (10) prior to kickoff in the 2016 Sugar Bowl against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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No. 11 Ole Miss Rebels vs No. 4 Florida State Seminoles

How do you cap off an incredible opening weekend of college football? With a Monday night contest between two College Football Playoff contenders, of course. After an incredible Sunday night game between Notre Dame and Texas that had fans on their seats, college football is ready to deliver yet another great game between Florida State and Ole Miss.

The Seminoles last won a national title in 2013, the year before the playoff, and many believe that Florida State has a chance to win another with Heisman candidate running back Dalvin Cook in the backfield.

Ole Miss has a solid team as well and the Rebels have defeated Alabama in each of the last two seasons, so you know they have enough talent to make a run. It all depends on how far Chad Kelly wants to take this team.

Related Story: 27 most shocking college football upsets ever

Here’s how to watch Monday’s Ole Miss vs Florida State game online:

Date: Monday, September 5
Start Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
Location: Orlando, FL
Venue: Camping World Stadium
TV: ESPN
Live Stream: WatchESPN

Keys to Victory

Derwin James and the Florida State secondary needs to figure out Chad Kelly sooner rather than later. Halting the pass game will be crucial for the Seminoles to win, but also utilizing the run game with Dalvin Cook is a must. Feed the hot hand early and often as Cook can eat tons of carries for the Seminoles.

Ole Miss needs to pass away from James. He’s an All-American safety, but Kelly is smart enough to find the right guy without having to go to James’ side. Kelly has a ton of viable options at receiver and he can put up some big numbers if he doesn’t get rattled by a few pass break-ups.

Betting Odds

Florida State opens as the 5.5-point favorite and the over/under is set at 59 points. The Seminoles have the ability to cover the spread, but the Rebels are feisty enough to beat it. The over/under is relatively modest.

Prediction

Chad Kelly and the Rebels are going to go the pass-heavy route with a solid core of receivers and not the best run game. It’s going to work in his favor early on, but he will struggle later as the Seminoles figure out the pass game. Dalvin Cook is going to put up 175 yards and three touchdowns as the Seminoles hold on to a close one.

Final: Ole Miss 31, Florida State 38

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