A New Chapter for the Rebels
The 2026‑27 preseason Associated Press poll has placed the Ole Miss Rebels at No. 9, marking a decisive return to the upper echelon of college football after the team reached the College Football Playoff semifinals in the previous season.
Taking the reins after Lane Kiffin’s departure for LSU, Pete Golding inherits a program that had already secured two postseason victories under his guidance, culminating in a heartbreaking loss to Miami in the Fiesta Bowl. Golding’s early success has set a foundation for what many expect to be a sustained climb.
The Rebels will field a core that includes standout performers such as Trinidad Chambliss, Kewan Lacy and Will Echoles, all of whom opted to return for another season. Adding to the excitement, Ole Miss signed a top‑three transfer class featuring prospects like Blake Purchase, Joenel Aguero and Johntay Cook II, bolstering depth at multiple positions.
The first test of this renewed roster arrives on September 6, when the team travels to Nissan Stadium in Nashville to face Louisville. The matchup not only pits two SEC programs against each other but also serves as a barometer for how high the Rebels can climb in the national conversation.
With nine SEC schools represented in the preseason top 25, the Rebels’ ascent reflects a broader resurgence within the conference, and fans are eager to see whether the momentum can translate into a championship‑contending campaign.