Fresno State @ Ole Miss preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 1, 2011 ) Mississippi 38, Fresno State 28

Fresh from its dominant season-opening win, No. 14 Ole Miss welcomes Fresno State to Oxford on Saturday for another tuneup in advance of the Rebels’ highly anticipated SEC showdown at Alabama on Sept. 19. The Rebels scored their most points in a game since 1935 in last Saturday's 76-3 victory over UT Martin, but they should face a little more resistance from Fresno State.

The Bulldogs, who were picked to finish second in the West Division of the Mountain West, are hoping to record their first win over an SEC opponent in six tries after opening with a 34-13 home win over Abilene Christian. “Fresno State loves playing in environments against schools people would consider the bigger schools,” Rebels coach Hugh Freeze told reporters. “It will be a better test for us this Saturday to judge exactly where we are.” Freeze said Ole Miss will likely be without All-American left tackle Laremy Tunsil for the second straight game due to an ongoing NCAA investigation. Even without Tunsil, the Rebels’ explosive offense should have plenty of big-play opportunities against a Fresno State team that allowed 54 pass plays of 20 or more yards last season.

TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2. LINE: Ole Miss -28.5

ABOUT FRESNO STATE (1-0): The Bulldogs have lost 19 consecutive games against top-25 opponents and face steep odds against Ole Miss, which could dominate the line of scrimmage and rattle young quarterbacks Zack Greenlee and Chason Virgil. Fresno State will look to establish the run behind senior Marteze Waller, who rushed for 154 yards last week and ranks seventh among all active FBS players in career rushing yards. The Bulldogs struggled defensively last season but held Abilene Christian to 34 rushing yards and received an encouraging effort from linebacker Ejiro Ederaine, who battled shoulder injuries in 2014.

ABOUT OLE MISS (1-0): Clemson transfer Chad Kelly made an impressive debut at quarterback against UT Martin by throwing for 211 yards and two long touchdowns, and he’ll get the start again Saturday with Ryan Buchanan and DeVante Kincade also expected to see playing time. Wide receiver Laquon Treadwell returned last Saturday after missing 10 months due to injury and should have little trouble exposing the Bulldogs’ young secondary. Defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche, who caught a 31-yard TD pass against UT Martin, leads a unit that has allowed more than 20 points just three times since the start of last season.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Ole Miss won its previous meetings against Fresno State in 2010 (55-38 in Oxford) and 2011 (38-28 in Fresno).

2. Fresno State backup RB Dustin Garrison has been suspended for the first half for throwing a punch in last week’s win over Abilene Christian.

3. Ole Miss senior DT Issac Gross will have season-ending surgery after injuring his neck last week against UT Martin.

PREDICTION: Ole Miss 52, Fresno State 17