Ole Miss vs. South Carolina: Advanced Model Picks

**CBS SportsLine Computer Model Taps Ole Miss as Strong Favorite Over South Carolina in Week 10 SEC Showdown**

**OXFORD, Miss. (November 9, 2024)** – As the 2024 college football season approaches, early projections are already setting the stage for key matchups. CBS SportsLine’s advanced computer model has released its initial predictions for the Week 10 clash between the Ole Miss Rebels and the South Carolina Gamecocks, scheduled for Saturday, November 9, at 12 p.m. ET. The highly anticipated SEC East-West interdivision game will take place at Ole Miss’s home turf, Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Mississippi.

The SportsLine model, which boasted an impressive 110-78 record on its top-rated college football picks last season, is forecasting a comfortable victory for the Rebels. According to the early betting lines, Ole Miss is favored by 9.5 points, with the over/under for total points set at 59.5. The model projects Ole Miss to win outright with a final score of 34-23, indicating that the Rebels are expected to not only secure the win but also cover the 9.5-point spread. Furthermore, with a combined projected score of 57 points, the model predicts the game will go UNDER the 59.5-point total.

Ole Miss enters the season with high expectations, a sentiment reinforced by the SportsLine model’s confidence. A major factor in the Rebels’ favor is the return of several key players, most notably seasoned quarterback Jaxson Dart, who is poised to lead a potent offense. Coach Lane Kiffin’s strategic offensive schemes have consistently put up significant numbers, and the team’s strong recruiting efforts, including a high-impact transfer class featuring defensive stalwarts like Walter Nolen and Princely Umanmielen, alongside offensive weapon Tre Harris, are expected to bolster their roster significantly. The Rebels are currently ranked No. 9 in ESPN’s early FPI projections, signaling national recognition for their potential.

The home-field advantage at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium is also a crucial element. Historically, under Coach Kiffin, Ole Miss has demonstrated exceptional performance when favored at home within a specific spread range, holding a perfect 3-0 record against the spread when favored by 7.5 to 10 points.

Conversely, South Carolina faces a challenging road ahead. The Gamecocks will be navigating the season with a new starting quarterback, likely LaNorris Sellers, following the departure of NFL-bound Spencer Rattler. The offense will also need to compensate for the significant losses of key wide receivers Xavier Legette and Antwane Wells Jr. Last season saw the Gamecocks finish with a 5-7 record, missing out on a bowl appearance. Coach Shane Beamer holds a 20-18 record over his three seasons at the helm. Adding to their difficulties, South Carolina has struggled historically in Week 10 matchups, holding a 2-8 record against the spread since 2014.

In terms of historical head-to-head records, Ole Miss also holds an advantage, boasting an 8-2 straight-up record against South Carolina since 1974. Their last encounter in 2020 resulted in a decisive 59-42 victory for the Rebels.

With these factors in play, the CBS SportsLine model’s early prediction strongly favors Ole Miss, suggesting a dominant performance at home against a rebuilding South Carolina squad.