After a historic run this year, Ole Miss looks to next season after a familiar face, Pete Golding, takes the reins as head coach and a College Football Playoff semi-final run.
Ole Miss ended the regular season with an 11-1 record, the only 11 win regular season in school history, with the sole loss coming to Georgia. Shortly after the Egg Bowl, former head coach Lane Kiffin departed for Baton Rouge. This led to defensive coordinator, Pete Golding, stepping into the head coaching role. In the first playoff game against Tulane, Golding and the Ole Miss Rebels proved all the doubters wrong beating Tulane 41-10, and getting them a date in the Sugar Bowl against their only loss, Georgia. On the shoulders of QB Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss defeated the Bulldogs 39-34 making the game an instant classic and arguably the best game in the playoff. The win put the Rebels up against the Miami Hurricanes in the Fiesta Bowl. After a hard fight, Ole Miss fell to the Hurricanes 31-27 capping a historic season.
If Ole Miss wants to establish themselves as playoff contenders next season, they have to win the big games. Games against teams like Georgia, LSU, Texas, & Oklahoma will make or break Ole Miss’ path to the playoff next year. The LSU game will bring a lot of attention to the game due to the fact that former head coach, Lane Kiffin, is now coaching the Tigers after leaving the Rebels right before the playoffs. Ole Miss will also play at Texas & at Oklahoma, probably the two toughest road games of the season. Luckily though, Ole Miss will host teams like Georgia, LSU, & Auburn. If Ole Miss can win 10 games, they will make the College Football Playoff two years in a row.
Head coach, Pete Golding, has done really well in the transfer portal. He has brought in guys like former five star Auburn QB, Deuce Knight. Knight was a true freshman at Auburn last season not playing many snaps but when he did, he had 259 passing yards & two passing touchdowns. Knight is also a threat on the ground totaling 178 rushing yards on 13 carries, along with 4 touchdowns. If Chambliss’ appeal to the NCAA gets approved, Knight will be a great backup and then have the starting role next season. Defense is really where Golding shines, bringing in heavy hitting linebackers Keaton Thomas from Baylor and Jahim Oatis from Colorado. Oatis is a former five star Mississippi native who signed with Alabama out of high school. Golding also brought in really good secondary guys in two defensive backs, Sharif Denson, & Jay Crawford. The secondary is really where Ole Miss’ defense struggled this past season. These moves by Golding can hopefully bring more success in that area.
Despite all the portal success, Ole Miss has lost some key guys to the portal. Defensive guys like Princewill Umanmielen, TJ Dottery, Da’Shawn Womack, & TJ Banks. On the offensive side Ole Miss lost wide receiver Winnie Watkins to rival LSU. Fan-favorite, Caden Lee, entered the portal on the very last day, although he will probably end up staying if Trinidad’s waiver gets approved. Fortunately, Ole Miss has had key players choose to return. Star running back Kewon Lacy will be returning after being heavily recruited by Kiffin & LSU. Defensive guys like Suntarine Perkins, Will Echoles, & Antonio Kite will be back for next season also.
Despite the Lane Kiffin drama, transfer portal dilemmas, & a head coaching change right before the playoffs, Ole Miss excelled and has high hopes for next season. With key returners & big transfer portal hits, Ole Miss could have another memorable season next year.
