The Lane Kiffin era may have come to a sudden end at Ole Miss, but if the Rebels' latest performance is any indication, this team isn't skipping a beat under Pete Golding. In his first game as head coach, Golding led Ole Miss to a statement win over Tulane - and while it came against a Group of 5 opponent, the victory offered more than just a lopsided scoreline. It gave us a glimpse of a program that’s quickly finding its footing amid coaching turnover, and doing so with confidence.
This wasn’t just about beating Tulane. This was about showing that the Rebels could handle change - and still play at a high level.
With Golding at the helm and the offensive staff largely intact, Ole Miss looked sharp, focused, and well-prepared. That’s no small feat when you consider how disruptive a midseason coaching change can be, especially heading into the postseason.
Now, with that win in their back pocket, Ole Miss is gearing up for a high-stakes rematch with Georgia - a chance to rewrite the narrative from their regular-season clash. In that first meeting, the Rebels had Georgia on the ropes for three quarters, controlling the tempo and playing with purpose. But the Bulldogs, as they so often do, found another gear in the final frame and pulled off a comeback win that handed Ole Miss its only loss of the season.
This time, the stakes are even higher - and the oddsmakers are taking notice.
Despite the absence of Kiffin, there’s no dramatic drop-off in how Vegas views this team. In fact, the early Sugar Bowl line shows Ole Miss as just a 6.5-point underdog to Georgia.
That’s a sign of real respect for what Golding and his staff have done in a short span. It’s also the narrowest spread among the current playoff matchups, with Alabama opening as 7.5-point underdogs and Miami at 10.5.
The confidence in Ole Miss isn’t just about the scoreboard - it’s about the structure. Golding’s decision to retain key offensive assistants, including Charlie Weis Jr., was a critical move. Continuity matters, especially in the postseason, and Weis Jr. delivered in his first game without Kiffin, dialing up a game plan that kept the offense humming.
The total for the Sugar Bowl matchup is set at 55.5 points - the highest of any playoff game so far - and that tells you everything you need to know about how this Rebels offense is still being viewed. Explosive, creative, and capable of putting pressure on even the most disciplined defenses.
So while the headlines might focus on the coaching change, the real story is about a team that isn’t flinching. Ole Miss has a shot at redemption, a talented roster, and a coaching staff that’s already proving it can steer the ship. Georgia may be the defending powerhouse, but the Rebels are coming in with belief - and the odds suggest this one could be closer than some might expect.