As college football enters the final quarter of the season, and with the first College Football Playoff rankings released this past week, remaining matchups have become crucial for every team hoping to earn a spot in the coveted postseason bracket. Apart from Ole Miss, who should Rebel fans root for this weekend to help boost the Rebels’ playoff odds?
To determine which teams are best to root for — and against — The Daily Mississippian used Rooting Guide, a website that simulates playoff odds from analyzing statistics and team schedules. After the simulation is run, users see how much their favorite teams’ playoff odds either go up or down.
Additionally, fans can check out this website to select the outcome of games for the rest of the season to determine how the SEC standings will shake out.
Currently, Ole Miss sits at a 50.4% chance to make the CFP. With a win over Georgia, the Rebels’ odds would jump to 77.7%. If the Rebels lose, the odds drop to just 26.1%. Here are the three most important teams to root for this weekend that would help boost Ole Miss’ CFP odds.
Missouri Tigers over the Texas Longhorns
Most SEC teams have fluctuated between looking like contenders and pretenders this season. This weekend, No. 7 Texas kicks off against No. 18 Missouri at 11 a.m. in Columbia, Mo., and it really could be anyone’s ball game. Here’s why Rebel fans should root for the Tigers.
On one hand, if Missouri can pull off the upset, the Rebels’ 31-3 victory over the Tigers looks even better than it already does. On the other hand, the argument could be made that a Texas win makes the Longhorns look more consistent, and the Rebels’ road loss might look better, too.
Analytics, though, say that the Rebels’ CFP chances go up 3.3% if Missouri wins, but drop 2.4% if Texas wins. Plus, the Rebels’ SEC Championship game odds move favorably to 30.5% with a Tiger win.
Minnesota Golden Gophers over UCLA Bruins
This 11 a.m. Big Ten matchup may fly under the radar for fans who keep their TVs tuned into SEC contests, but a Minnesota win would help the Rebels.
No. 8 UCLA currently has a perfect 8-0 record, and they are 5-0 in conference play. In contrast, the Gophers are 5-3 and 3-2 in Big Ten games. If the Gophers, who lost 38-13 to Mississippi State, can upset the Bruins, Mississippi State would look much better.
Put simply, a Gophers win makes Minnesota look better, which makes Mississippi State look better, which would make a possible Ole Miss Egg Bowl victory look stronger.
The Rebels’ CFP odds rise 2.5% with a Gopher win, but fall 1.7% with a Gopher loss. Root for Minnesota this weekend.
LSU Tigers over the Alabama Crimson Tide
Rebel fans will be hesitant to root for the LSU Tigers in anything, but this weekend at 2:30 p.m., cheer for No. 14 LSU to defeat No. 4 Alabama in Death Valley.
In the AP Top 25 Poll, LSU has fallen as far as No. 22, but the Tigers are slowly rebounding. Like the other matchups, an LSU victory makes the Rebels 32-24 win over the Tigers look even stronger.
If LSU loses this weekend, the Rebels’ odds drop 1.7%, but if the Tigers win, the Rebels’ odds rise 0.9%. Ironically, the Ole Miss fan base should root for head coach Lane Kiffin and the Tigers on Saturday.
