The Ole Miss Rebels are gearing up to defy the doubters as they prepare for the upcoming college football season. Just a year removed from their College Football Playoff appearance, the Rebels are eager to prove that they remain a force to be reckoned with, even under new leadership.
After former head coach Lane Kiffin departed for LSU, Pete Golding took the reins and guided the Rebels to their first-ever CFP semifinal. While some might argue that Kiffin laid the groundwork for their playoff success, Golding now has the opportunity to build on that foundation with a roster brimming with talent.
Leading the charge is quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, who burst onto the scene in 2025 and is now entering the 2026 season with considerable Heisman Trophy buzz. Chambliss has caught the attention of none other than Rebels legend Archie Manning, who recently shared his thoughts on the young quarterback.
During a media session at the Manning Passing Academy, Manning expressed his admiration for Chambliss. "I’m really proud of him, and I’m proud that he’s an Ole Miss quarterback," Manning remarked, offering high praise for a player who is still crafting his legacy in Oxford.
Chambliss has a chance to etch his name in the Rebels' history books this season, potentially surpassing Manning in career passing yards. With 3,937 yards under his belt, Chambliss is on track to eclipse Manning's 4,753-yard mark early in the 2026 season if he maintains his impressive performance.
The Manning name is synonymous with Ole Miss and resonates throughout the football world. Archie, Eli, and even Peyton-who took a different collegiate path-are iconic figures in the sport. For Chambliss, receiving such accolades from a legend like Archie Manning is undoubtedly a remarkable honor.
As the Rebels set their sights on another impactful season, the blend of returning talent and new leadership under Golding promises an exciting journey ahead. Keep an eye on Chambliss and the Rebels as they aim to make waves on the national stage once again.
In Other News...
Missouri's Top Back Just Drew A Label That Changes Everything
For Ole Miss, the running back conversation has already turned into one of the more intriguing storylines in the SEC calendar. Kewan Lacy enters 2026 as one of the headliners at the position after a strong 2025, and he is part of a small group of backs drawing national attention before the season even kicks off. Missouris Ahmad Hardy is right there with him, giving the Rebels a direct measuring stick against one of the other names at the top of the sport.
The matchup only gets more interesting because Hardys path has not been smooth. Missouri still expects him to be a major factor after transferring in from Louisiana-Monroe, but his spring injury situation has added at least a little uncertainty around the Tigers most important skill player. If both backs are on the field when Missouri and Ole Miss meet on Oct. 17, it will be more than just a conference game. It will be a chance to see whether Lacy can stake his claim in a conversation that already has Hardy sitting near the top. [Read more 🡒]
Lane Kiffin's LSU Ghost Mode Feels Like Something Bigger
Lane Kiffin has spent much of his career leaning into the noise, whether on the sideline or on social media, so his recent turn into what he calls "ghost" mode stands out. The Ole Miss coach has been unusually quiet online, a sharp contrast from the outspoken presence fans and opponents have come to expect, and the shift has only added to the intrigue around him as LSU season pressure starts to build.
Kiffin has tied the new approach to inspiration from Tim Grover, the performance coach associated with Michael Jordan, and to a mindset of keeping things hidden while the work gets done. He has posted just once in June, and the bigger question now is whether that restraint can last once the season intensifies and the spotlight comes back looking for the version of Kiffin that usually has plenty to say. [Read more 🡒]
Archie Manning Sends Important Signal About Pete Goldings Ole Miss Future
Pete Goldings first months in charge at Ole Miss have been anything but ordinary, and Archie Manning has noticed. After Lane Kiffins exit following the 2025 regular season, Golding was thrust into the head coaching job and had to guide the Rebels through a College Football Playoff run while also taking full control of the roster and the programs next step. The transition was messy by nature, but the early returns have given Ole Miss reason to believe the move can hold up beyond the short term.
Manning, who got to know Golding through the Arch Manning recruitment process at Alabama, came away with a favorable view of him and said he has been impressed by the way Golding handled such a difficult situation. For a program trying to steady itself after a major coaching change, that kind of public backing matters, especially from someone whose family has seen plenty of football in Oxford. It leaves Golding with one more sign of support as he continues shaping what comes next for the Rebels. [Read more 🡒]