The first College Football Playoff rankings for the 2026 season dropped Tuesday, and Ole Miss snagged the No. 10 spot after some serious grind this year. The Rebels, rocking a 6-2 overall record and a 4-2 run in the SEC, banked crucial quality wins against LSU and Missouri earlier in the season to earn that rank. They are one of three two-loss SEC teams to land in the top 12, with Georgia leading the pack as the highest-ranked SEC squad at number two, currently projected to be a top four seed and potential conference champion.
The Road Ahead: Georgia and Beyond
Talk about high stakes: if the season wrapped today, Ole Miss would be looking at a rematch with Texas, and the winner would then face off against Georgia in the quarterfinals. But that whole scenario is just a fantasy right now, because Ole Miss and number two Georgia are squaring off this upcoming Saturday right there in Oxford. For Ole Miss, the path to the CFP is crystal clear: they have to win out. A single loss, especially to Georgia, would boot them right out of the top 12. With three more games against unranked teams on the schedule after that Georgia showdown, it’s unlikely those wins would be enough to climb back up the rankings.
A Look Back, and the Bets Ahead
It’s a huge moment for Ole Miss as they eye a return to the CFP for a second straight year. Last season was a dream run, starting with a win against Tulane in Oxford and then absolutely stunning Georgia in the Sugar Bowl, all under head coach Pete Golding. The oddsmakers are definitely watching. FanDuel Sportsbook has Ole Miss at +1600 to win the National Championship, which is the ninth highest in the country. And get this: quarterback Trinidad Chambliss is sitting at +1200 to win the Heisman Trophy, currently fifth highest. For making the playoff, Ole Miss is at -195, nearly 2 to 1 odds. It sure seems like the oddsmakers are sensing some major chaos is brewing in college football this season, and the Rebels might just need every bit of it when all is said and done.
This Saturday’s game against Georgia isn’t just a regular SEC matchup, it’s the season for Ole Miss. Can they pull off the upset and keep their CFP hopes alive, or will the chaos they might need slip through their fingers?
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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