Neither team was very impressive in their season openers a week ago and that’s what makes this game so intriguing. Were both teams sandbagging on offense against respective nonconference opponents? Doubtful, but let’s hope so, anyway. If not, it’s going to be a long season for both programs. And that makes this game even more important, it’s one both teams should feel it can win.

Ole Miss QB Matt Corral has had his first-game nerves and should now be ready to settle into the Rebels’ system. The same can be said for Arkansas QB Ben Hicks, a veteran who played his first game as a Razorback. I expect both QBs to have big games Saturday.

Speaking of expectations, here are 10 bold predictions for the game.

1. It’s a shootout

Ole Miss scored 10 points in its opener against Memphis while Arkansas scored 20 on Portland State in kicking off its season. Expect the blinders to come off and the playbooks to open up as both teams look to begin SEC play with a victory. The over/under is around 50 points. Here’s a bold prediction: Each team scores 30-plus Saturday.

2. Rebels don’t cover

Ole Miss is favored by 7 points. But this game could come down to the final possession. Remember when these two teams played 7 overtimes? I remember. I also remember that the past 4 games between these teams have been decided by 4 points or fewer.

3. Both QBs throw for 300 yards

I said it was going to be a shootout. And this really isn’t that bold of a prediction when you consider that Hicks threw for 300-plus yards in 4 of his last 5 games at SMU and 12 total in 3 years with the Mustangs. He’ll get back on that horse Saturday (see what I did there?) against a Rebels defense that appeared to be vastly improved if allowing just 15 points to Memphis is any indication.

As for Corral, he’s thrown for 332 yards in his career. The bold prediction is that he doubles that number after Saturday’s game. He threw for 93 yards against Memphis.

4. Arkansas resumes ownership in the series

Not the boldest of predictions considering the Hogs have captured 4 of the past 5 meetings (6 of 7 if you count the 2 Ole Miss NCAA sanctioned vacated wins). But Ole Miss won last year’s game in Little Rock and are a full touchdown favorite to make it 2 straight against the Razorbacks.

5. Rakeem Boyd has career day

The Arkansas RB’s star will continue to shine. After setting a career-high 114 yards rushing in the victory over Portland State last week, Boyd tops that by a comfortable margin on Saturday against a Rebels defense that yielded 192 rushing yards to Memphis.

6. Scottie Phillips breaks 100

For the 4th time in his career, the Ole Miss RB rushes for 100 yards. I won’t go so bold as to say he breaks his career-best of 204 yards, but if Saturday’s game unfolds like I think it will, Phillips will have his second 100-yard game since last October. If the passing game opens up as I expect, it will help open up the running game for Phillips.

7. Elijah Moore double-digit receptions

For just the 2nd time in his career, the Ole Miss receiver grabs double digits in receptions as the Rebels open up the passing attack. What makes this prediction even bolder? The Rebels completed just 9 passes against Memphis.

8. Oxford woes continue

If you include the 2013 game Ole Miss won but was forced to vacate by NCAA sanctions, the Rebels have not beaten Arkansas at The Grove since 2009. Even without the technicality, Arkansas has won 3 of the past 4 at Ole Miss. That streak continues on Saturday as the Hogs yet again pull out a close high-scoring affair.

9. Rebels’ defense continues to be MIA

Even in holding Memphis to just 15 points, the Rebels surrendered 364 total yards, the exact amount in averaged yielding throughout the 2018 season. Look for that number to inflate on Saturday after the Razorbacks go for more than 500 total yards.

10. Hogs continue receiver-by-committee

With injuries to its receiving corps, Arkansas spread the wealth last week, completing passes to 8 pass-catchers. Look for that trend to continue on Saturday and perhaps even reach double digits as Hicks settles in under center.