A New Chapter in the Music City Kickoff
The 2026 Ole Miss Rebels will open their season on September 6 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, facing the Louisville Cardinals in the annual Music City Kickoff. The matchup marks the second meeting between the programs, with Ole Miss holding a 2‑1 edge in the series after a 43‑24 victory in 2021.
Ole Miss arrives with momentum built around quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, who posted 3,937 passing yards and 22 touchdowns in 2025, and running back Kewan Lacy, who led all FBS with 306 carries and 1,567 rushing yards last season. The Rebels' defense will feature newcomer Keaton Thomas, who steps in to replace departing standout TJ Dottery.
Key Players Shaping the Matchup
Louisville, under coach Jeff Brohm in his fourth year, finished the previous season at 9‑4 but stumbled in the final four games before capping the year with a Boca Raton Bowl win over Toledo. The Cardinals will start transfer quarterback Lincoln Kienholz, a former Ohio State signal‑caller, while junior pass‑rusher Clev Lubin, who recorded 8.5 sacks and three forced fumbles in 2025, anchors the defense.
On the Ole Miss side, Isaac Brown returns after a 884‑yard, seven‑touchdown season and earned preseason All‑American honors, adding a potent rushing threat. The combination of Chambliss’s arm strength and Lacy’s relentless ground attack creates a balanced offensive attack that will test Louisville’s secondary and front seven.
The game will be televised on ABC and ESPN, giving fans multiple viewing options, and it serves as a pivotal early test for both programs as they look to build momentum for the remainder of the season.