No. 7 Ole Miss heads to Austin for a matchup with No.
19 Texas, and for the first time in nearly 30 years, the Rebels are set to face a quarterback with the last name Manning. The last time that happened was a 1997 meeting with Peyton and Tennessee, and this trip comes with Ole Miss on the road again against Arch Manning and the Longhorns.
The Rebels enter the game as roughly a three-point underdog, a line that suggests Vegas sees this one as close to a coin flip. That fits the broader picture in the SEC this season, where road teams have had a hard time and results have been tough to predict.
Texas has the benefit of playing at home, but there’s another major question hanging over the matchup: all-world pass rusher Colin Simmons likely won’t play. That gives Ole Miss a real opening if its defense has truly improved. The source material makes clear the feeling here - the Rebels believe they have a path to a win.
Arch Manning’s season has been uneven outside of the comeback against Ohio State early on. Texas comes in needing a response after back-to-back losses to Oklahoma and Florida, while Ole Miss arrives with momentum after rebounding from its lone loss with wins over Vanderbilt and Missouri.
These programs haven’t played since Ole Miss won in 2013. And with a third loss looming as a dangerous place for most teams this year, Texas is under pressure to stop the slide. For Ole Miss, a loss in Austin wouldn’t end the season, but it would narrow the margin for error almost completely.
In Other News...
Ole Miss Hit With NCAA Penalties As Chris Beard Avoids Fallout
Ole Miss basketball is dealing with the consequences of a tampering case tied to former assistant coach Wes Flanigan, with the NCAA saying the program committed both Level I and Level II violations. The penalties are real and immediate for the Rebels: two years of probation, a $455,000 fine, recruiting restrictions and additional sanctions that will linger well beyond the paperwork.
For Chris Beard, the ruling brought a different outcome. The NCAA did not penalize the Ole Miss coach because it determined he was not involved and not aware of the violations, leaving the program to absorb the fallout without touching its current head coach. Flanigan, meanwhile, drew a one-year show-cause order and a two-game suspension, a reminder that the case is not just about institutional penalties but also about the individuals tied to the conduct. [Read more 🡒]
Ole Miss Faces A Huge Opening In Texas' Defense
No. 7 Ole Miss heads into its Oct. 24 SEC matchup with No. 18 Texas knowing the Longhorns defensive front could look different than usual. Texas star defensive end Colin Simmons is dealing with an injury, and his status is one of the biggest storylines hanging over a game that already carries plenty of weight for both teams. The latest injury reports on both sides add another layer to what should be one of the weeks most watched matchups.
For Ole Miss, the timing matters because this trip comes with the Rebels trying to measure themselves against a ranked opponent and a defense that usually sets the tone early. A possible absence up front would force Texas to adjust its pass rush and could shift the way the game is played on both sides of the ball, especially with key player matchups and recent performances already under the microscope. By kickoff, the conversation could be less about the ranking and more about how much Texas has left on the edge. [Read more 🡒]
Ole Miss Offense Has Carried This Start But One Test Awaits
Six games into the 2026 season, Ole Miss has built a 5-1 start and climbed to No. 7 in the AP Poll on the strength of an offense that has looked increasingly hard to slow down. Trinidad Chambliss has been central to that surge, piling up more than 1,800 total yards and 20 touchdowns, while Kewan Lacys return from injury has given the Rebels another needed piece in the backfield. The offensive line has done its part too, keeping Chambliss upright and helping the attack find a better rhythm on the ground in recent weeks.
What has made Ole Miss so dangerous is how the pieces have started to fit together at the same time, with the passing game and rushing attack both carrying real weight. The one lingering question is how this offense will hold up when it runs into a defense that can match its pace, pressure its quarterback, and force it out of the comfortable script it has enjoyed so far. [Read more 🡒]