Ole Miss Lands at No. 6 in CFP Rankings, Poised to Host First-Ever Playoff Game
For the first time in program history, Ole Miss is headed to the College Football Playoff - and they might not even have to leave home to do it.
The Rebels landed at No. 6 in the penultimate CFP rankings, a position that all but locks them into hosting a first-round playoff game in Oxford on December 19 or 20. That’s a monumental moment for a program that just wrapped up its first-ever 11-win regular season, capped by a convincing 38-19 Egg Bowl victory over Mississippi State.
And while the celebration in Oxford is real, the path here wasn’t without a twist.
Just two days after that Egg Bowl win, Lane Kiffin departed for LSU, and Ole Miss wasted no time promoting defensive coordinator Pete Golding to the head coaching role. Despite the coaching shakeup, the CFP committee didn’t penalize the Rebels - a notable decision given that one of the committee’s guiding principles allows it to factor in player or coach availability when evaluating teams.
Instead, Ole Miss actually moved up a spot in the rankings, leapfrogging Texas A&M after the Aggies fell to Texas. The Rebels had the edge in both game control and strength of schedule, which helped solidify their standing.
With the final rankings set to drop on Sunday, Ole Miss is currently in line to host the No. 11 seed in the first round. That opponent could be Virginia - if the Cavaliers take care of business against Duke in the ACC Championship Game.
If Duke pulls the upset, things get more complicated. The Tulane-North Texas winner in the AAC title game could slide into the No. 11 or 12 spot, depending on how things shake out, while James Madison and Duke remain in play for the final seed if Virginia loses.
Whoever the Rebels draw, the stakes will be high. The winner of the 6 vs. 11 matchup advances to face the No. 3 seed in the quarterfinals.
Right now, that’s Georgia - but that could change depending on the outcome of the Big Ten title game between No. 1 Ohio State and No.
2 Indiana. The loser of that showdown is expected to take the No. 3 seed on Selection Sunday.
Elsewhere in the bracket, there’s still plenty of movement possible. BYU, currently ranked No. 11, is on the outside looking in.
But a win over Texas Tech in the Big 12 title game could launch the Cougars into the field. That would shake things up for Notre Dame, sitting at No. 10, which could find itself squeezed out of an at-large spot if BYU jumps in or if Miami surges into the top 10 after championship weekend.
According to CFP committee chair Hunter Yuracheck, even teams that are idle this weekend - like Notre Dame - aren’t immune to movement. Championship results will impact the final seeding.
One team that likely won’t be penalized for a loss? Alabama. The Tide are projected to stay in the field even if they fall to Georgia, continuing a trend where teams aren’t typically punished for losing in their conference title games.
As for Ole Miss, the résumé is strong. The Rebels are seventh nationally in strength of record and 10th in game control.
Their best wins came on the road at No. 8 Oklahoma and at home against No.
20 Tulane. The lone blemish?
A road loss to Georgia - a team currently holding down the No. 3 spot.
If Virginia ends up as the No. 11 seed, the early projections have Ole Miss as a 14-point favorite in that matchup. That’s a testament to the Rebels’ balance on both sides of the ball, and a sign that the committee believes this team can withstand the turbulence of a coaching change.
The full bracket will be revealed Sunday, but here’s how it’s shaping up right now:
Projected First Round Matchups:
- No.
9 Alabama at No. 8 Oklahoma - Winner faces No.
1 Ohio State
- No.
12 Tulane at No. 5 Oregon - Winner faces No.
4 Texas Tech
- No.
10 Notre Dame at No. 7 Texas A&M - Winner faces No.
2 Indiana
- No.
11 Virginia at No. 6 Ole Miss - Winner faces No.
3 Georgia
For Ole Miss fans, this is more than just a ranking. It’s a historic moment - a chance to host a playoff game in Oxford, to compete on the sport’s biggest stage, and to prove that this program isn’t just having a good year. It’s building something real.