ESPN analyst Booger McFarland didn’t wait long after Week 3 to plant his flag on the quarterback debate, and he planted it squarely on Trinidad Chambliss.
On Sunday, McFarland called the Ole Miss quarterback the best in America after Chambliss helped lift the Rebels past LSU in a 32-24 win Saturday night. McFarland put Chambliss above Texas quarterback Arch Manning and Oregon quarterback Dante Moore, writing on X: "Not Arch, not Dante, not anyone else," The former LSU standout also praised Chambliss’ anticipation, accuracy, demeanor and second reaction, grading each as "all A+."
Trinidad is the best qb in America Not Arch Not Dante Not anyone else. Why ?
Anticipation accuracy demeanor 2nd reaction all A+. Good for you kid
Chambliss backed up the praise with a big-time performance at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. He finished 33 of 48 for 363 yards, two touchdowns and one interception as No.
9 Ole Miss beat No. 7 LSU.
He was especially sharp early, going 21 of 27 for 289 yards in the first half while the Rebels raced out to a 24-7 lead.
LSU answered with 17 straight points to pull even at 24, and Chambliss’ third-quarter interception helped set up one of those touchdowns. But he came back with the kind of play that changes games, breaking free for a 14-yard touchdown run with just over five minutes left. Ole Miss added a two-point conversion, and then Rebels defender Jaylon Braxton sealed it by intercepting a tipped fourth-down pass from LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt.
The win pushed Ole Miss to 3-0, and it came with a little extra weight around Chambliss’ story. He had a chance to follow Kiffin to Baton Rouge after the 2025 season, but instead stayed in Oxford to play for Ole Miss head coach Pete Golding.
McFarland’s backing of Chambliss wasn’t a one-off. It was the second straight Sunday he put him first.
On Sept. 13, McFarland said the Grand Rapids native had been the best quarterback this season and added that "it's not really close."
He also tied Chambliss’ draft stock to one specific trait. "If he were 6-foot-2, he would be the first pick," McFarland wrote.
Through three games, Chambliss has completed 77 of 110 passes for 924 yards with seven touchdowns and two interceptions. He opened the season with 336 passing yards in a 41-38 win over Louisville, then followed that with 23 completions on 26 attempts in a 41-9 win over Charlotte.
While Chambliss keeps stacking numbers and wins, the two quarterbacks McFarland passed over also had strong Week 3 outings against nonconference opponents. Manning went 16 of 32 for 161 yards and two touchdowns in No.
1 Texas’ 30-6 win over UTSA and added 50 rushing yards. Moore was even more efficient, throwing for 280 yards and four touchdowns on 19-of-23 passing in Oregon’s 84-0 win over Portland State on Friday.
Oregon, though, is still 2-1 after losing at Oklahoma State in Week 2.
Chambliss’ path to this point has been unusual. He started at Division II Ferris State, won another year of eligibility after taking the NCAA to court, and last season helped Ole Miss reach the College Football Playoff semifinals while finishing in the top 10 of Heisman Trophy voting.
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