The Ole Miss Rebels officially find themselves in an eerily familiar situation. With two games to play, they need to win out, and they are almost guaranteed a College Football Playoff berth. However, sitting at 9-1, there’s an argument to be made that if they simply go 1-1 over their final two, they could still get a spot in the playoff. But that scenario puts their fate in the hands of the committee. No one wants to have their fate left in the hands of a select few people.
So how is this similar to another situation they’ve been in?
Well, going back 10 years, the Rebels had an SEC Championship Game appearance in their sights. But ultimately, a catastrophic 4th and 25 in overtime vs Arkansas cost them that opportunity. A win in the SEC Championship game, and they would’ve almost certainly been a lock for a playoff berth, in the days when it was a four-team playoff.
Then, just last year, despite two early-season losses, they needed to beat Florida and Mississippi State and would likely have secured a berth in the first-ever 12-team field. Instead, a trip to The Swamp proved to be their demise. This year, their final two opponents remain the same.
Do the Rebels fix their past mistakes and reach their first-ever College Football Playoff? Or do the same problems come back to haunt them once again?
Ole Miss in Control of Its Own Playoff Destiny
A Weak Schedule to Close Out the Season?
For Ole Miss, they couldn’t ask for a better opportunity. Due to a few early-season conference matchups, this past weekend, they got to play The Citadel. They took care of the Bulldogs 49-0, as expected. Now, their remaining two opponents are Florida and Mississippi State. But this isn’t Urban Meyer’s Florida team, and it isn’t Dan Mullen’s Bulldog squad. Florida and Mississippi State have a combined three SEC wins so far this season. And the Gators already fired head coach Billy Napier a few weeks back.
Another key is that while last year’s matchup with the Gators was in Gainesville, this season it’s in Oxford. And it’s coming against a Florida team that is reeling after a 38-7 blowout loss to Kentucky. Given the circumstances, it would be nothing short of a disaster if the Rebels once again fell late in the year to the Gators.
And while the Egg Bowl is in Starkville this year, it’s against a struggling Mississippi State squad. It’s a much-improved team for Jeff Lebby, but the talent on the roster still isn’t at a level to legitimately compete in the SEC. So if they can put the thoughts of a playoff berth to the side, that should also be a game the Rebels are heavily favored in.
How Does Ole Miss Handle Success This Time Around?
In the past, Ole Miss hasn’t been able to handle success. For Rebel fans, the phrase “We are Ole Miss” isn’t a positive thing. It’s a saying that simply means they always find a way to choke away opportunities at bigger and better things. This year, the Georgia game was an example of that statement coming to fruition. A nine-point lead late, with a chance to get a stop on a fourth down to essentially end the game, and they couldn’t get it done. Ultimately, they lost the game because they couldn’t get a defensive stop. Trinidad Chambliss and the offense also faltered late in that contest.
However, apart from the disaster of a fourth quarter against the Bulldogs, they’ve avoided those moments this year. Last season, they struggled in close contests. Three-point losses to Kentucky and LSU. A seven-point loss to Florida.
So far this season, they’ve largely found a way to be successful in those tense moments. A win in Lexington over Kentucky. Surviving against LSU. And forcing a late turnover to beat Arkansas in a game that shouldn’t have been that close. Needless to say, those are the kinds of moments that define seasons. Elite teams nearly always have a game or two that end up being tight, but they find a way to get the win. In the past, the Rebels haven’t been able to do that.
But this season, if they can do that for the last two games of the season, Ole Miss will be playoff-bound. They’re in full control of their own destiny.
How to Watch
Date and Time: November 14, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Location: Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, Oxford, MS
TV Network: ESPN
Main Image: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
