The Ole Miss Rebels made a statement in front of a packed Vaught-Hemingway Stadium crowd tonight, dominating the Tulane Green Wave 41-10 in the first round of the College Football Playoff. Right from the opening kickoff, this Ole Miss football game felt like a declaration of intent from a team trying to shake off offseason drama and prove itself on the big stage. There was no drama on the scoreboard; the Rebels led 14-0 less than eight minutes in, but there were plenty of storylines, energy, and emotion pulsing through Oxford. For Tulane, this was the first CFP game in school history, and the atmosphere was electric even though it never translated into a competitive contest. Ole Miss struck quickly and with authority. On just the third play from scrimmage, running back Kewan Lacy rumbled 20 yards for a touchdown, setting the tone for what would become an offensive clinic. Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, who has been at the center of every conversation about this Rebels team all season, was sharp and decisive
