Ole Miss Rebels vs. Boise State Broncos
Date: Thursday, August 28, 2014 Time: 8:00 EST TV: ESPN
Game Line: Ole Miss -10.5 (from JustBet) Over/Under: 53.5

Thursday NCAA analysis: The Ole Miss Rebels and the Boise State Broncos open up their 2014 season from the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia.

Mississippi has a boatload of talent returning this season, led by senior quarterback Bo Wallace. Wallace is a gunslinger and should be well protected behind an offensive line that’s returning 4 starters. They also have a lot of speed with running back I’Tavius Matthews and have a solid WR corps with senior Vince Sanders and sophomore Laquon Treadwell. Treadwell impressed as a freshman and came up big in a lot of key moments. The defense should be vastly improved, behind a defensive line anchored by CJ Johnson and the highly touted Robert Nkemdiche. They also have other talented players in senior All-America safety Cody Prewitt and linebackers Denzel Nkemdiche and Serderius Bryant. With a lot of experience and 15 returning starters, the Rebels are definitely contenders in the SEC West.

It’s a new era in Boise, Idaho. Chris Peterson, the head coach that led the Broncos to national prominence, has left for Washington, and now it’s Bryan Harsin’s turn. Harsin was an assistant under Peterson until 2010, and has vowed that there will not be a drop-off. The Broncos finished 8-5 last season yet had only one game against a ranked opponent, a 38-6 loss at Washington. They are returning 15 starters and will be led by senior quarterback Grant Hedrick. The backfield is led by running back Jay Ajayi, who tallied 1425 yards last season. On defense, they return 7 starters, anchored by defensive linemen Beau Martin and Tyler Horn, both seniors. The linebacking corps is extremely experienced behind sophomore Ben Weaver and senior Corey Bell. The secondary is also solid and experienced as well, filed with juniors and seniors.

We’ve seen this scenario with Boise State before, an underdog from the smaller conference in a high profile game on opening weekend. Boise is a talented bunch, but I feel that the inexperience on the offensive line will be the difference in the game. The Broncos only have 2 returning starters on the offensive line, and the starters are somewhat inexperienced. I can see the defensive line for the Rebels having a field day, wreaking havoc throughout the game. Boise will get their shots in, but the overall talent that the Rebels have this year will be evident in the outcome on Thursday night.  Ole Miss has too much speed and too much talent on both sides of the ball that Boise will be unable to match. The Rebels will be looking to improve on a somewhat disappointing season last season, and that first step will be taken tonight. The Rebels will make a statement that they will be a force to be reckoned with in the SEC.

Free Week 1 Thursday Night College Football Pick: Ole Miss -10.5 Over 53.5
Ole Miss Rebels vs. Boise State Broncos Score Prediction: Ole Miss 38 – Boise 21