Ole Miss enters the 2026 college football season with a preseason ranking that reflects both optimism and expectation. The Associated Press has placed the Rebels at No. 9 in its Top 25, a modest rise from the No. 10 slot they held a week earlier.
A Look Back at Recent Success
The program’s momentum stems from a breakthrough 2025 campaign that saw the team secure its first College Football Playoff berth. After opening with victories over Tulane and Georgia, the Rebels fell to Miami in the Fiesta Bowl, but the experience left a lasting imprint on the roster and the fan base.
Improvement is also evident in the broader poll landscape. While Ohio State holds the No. 1 spot, three other SEC powerhouses — Georgia, Texas and Texas A&M — are positioned ahead of Ole Miss, underscoring the conference’s depth and the Rebels’ need to prove themselves against familiar rivals.
Key Returners and a Heisman Push
Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss and running back Kewan Lacy, both of whom missed significant time last year, are expected to return to full health. Their resurgence forms the centerpiece of a joint Heisman Trophy campaign that the university hopes will spotlight the team’s offensive potential.
The season will open on September 6 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee, where the Rebels will face Louisville. The matchup marks a return to a venue that has hosted several high‑profile college games and adds a regional flavor to the schedule.
Sam Hutchens, who covers Ole Miss for the Clarion Ledger, notes that the early schedule offers a chance for the Rebels to climb the rankings quickly, especially if they can translate preseason optimism into on‑field production.