Louisville Cardinals at Ole Miss Rebels Betting Pick

The final college football game in Week 1 will feature the Louisville Cardinals taking on the Ole Miss Rebels in Atlanta, Georgia. This should be a terrific matchup between two teams that are looking to become relevant again on the college football scene.

Louisville finished the 2020 season by going just 2-3 in their last five games. The Cardinals were never really a threat to win the Atlantic Coast Conference, and it’s hard to see them being a contender this season.

Ole Miss won four of its last five games a season ago, including a big upset over Indiana in a bowl game. The Rebels enter the season as the 25th ranked team in the country, and they are looking to make a big move. 

The Ole Miss Rebels are 9.5-point favorites over the Louisville Cardinals in this matchup on Labor Day.

Louisville Wants to Run

The Louisville Cardinals are going to try to win this game with their rushing attack, but that won’t be easy against Ole Miss. Quarterback Malik Cunningham is a great dual-threat at that position, and he will set the tone for the Cardinals on offense.

Cunningham is going to need some help from his offensive line to have time to operate, but he can make some plays. The Cardinals need to put together some long offensive series to give their defense a chance to rest. 

The Louisville defense was outstanding a season ago, especially when it came to defending the pass. Some new players will be taking the field for the Cardinals on defense, but that unit should still be terrific. 

Rebels Must Get Stops

Ole Miss should be a great offensive team this season, but there are some real question marks on the defensive side of the ball. Stopping Cunningham will be the top priority for the Rebels, but this will be a big challenge throughout the game.

Lane Kiffin won’t be on the sidelines for this game as he has tested positive for COVID-19. That is a huge blow to the Rebels, and it could have an effect on the offensive side of the football. 

Quarterback Matt Corral is considered one of the best in the country, and he has plenty of weapons at his disposal. This offense is going to take some chances, and they will be hard to stop if they hit on big plays. 

Rebels Roll Over Cardinals

Ole Miss is a team that is looking to become a contender in the SEC once again, and it needs to build some confidence before conference play begins. This is an excellent matchup for the Rebels, but it is also a game they could control. 

Louisville is just a few years removed from being a contender for the College Football Playoff, but they are not expected to compete this season. The Cardinals do have plenty of big-game experience, but they are just overmatched in this one.

Louisville might keep this close for a while, but Ole Miss is going to take control and roll to a victory. Bet the Ole Miss Rebels -9.5 on Monday night as they win this game by double-digits to begin the 2021 college football season. 

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