On September 6, 2026, the Ole Miss Rebels will take the field at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee, to kick off their 2026 football season against the Louisville Cardinals in a game that promises high drama and significant implications for both programs.
Season Preview
Ole Miss enters the new year looking to build on a strong 2025 campaign that propelled the Rebels into the College Football Playoff semifinals. After Lane Kiffin’s departure, the university promoted Pete Golding to head coach, tasking him with maintaining momentum while integrating a revamped defensive unit that lost several key contributors.
The Rebels will rely heavily on returning talent, most notably Trinidad Chambliss, a Division II transfer who led the offense to 4,464 total yards and 30 touchdowns last season, and Kewan Lacy, whose 1,567 rushing yards and 24 scores placed him among the top five running backs nationally.
Louisville, under Jeff Brohm’s guidance for three seasons, arrives with a balanced attack anchored by sophomore running back Isaac Brown, who posted 884 yards and seven touchdowns despite injury setbacks. The Cardinals’ pass‑rush duo of Clev Lubin and Tyler Thompson generated 15.5 sacks in 2025, while quarterback Lincoln Kienholz, a transfer from Ohio State with limited game experience, will attempt to bring stability to the offense.
Bookmakers have installed Ole Miss as seven‑point favorites, reflecting confidence in the Rebels’ talent and coaching continuity, yet the inexperience at the quarterback position for Louisville adds an element of uncertainty. The contest will be broadcast nationally on ABC, with analysts Sean McDonough and Greg McElroy providing commentary.
As both teams embark on their 2026 journeys, the matchup serves as a critical test: Ole Miss aims to sustain its playoff pedigree, while Louisville seeks to demonstrate resilience and competitiveness under Brohm’s leadership.