The Ole Miss vs. Tulane matchup carried more weight than just a win-it became a defining moment for Pete Golding in front of a fired-up Oxford crowd that made their feelings loud and clear.
The fanbase was electric, and their support for Golding wasn’t just about the scoreboard-it was about loyalty, leadership, and maybe even a little rivalry. In the eyes of many Rebels faithful, Golding’s stock is soaring, and the buzz around the program reflects that momentum.
From the moment the game ended, Golding’s name started echoing across the college football world. He’s drawing praise from every corner-analysts, alumni, and fans alike-and his postgame comments didn’t just thank the crowd; they hinted at something deeper. Without naming names, Golding gave a nod to the loyalty he’s seen from the Ole Miss community-a subtle but unmistakable message, especially considering the complicated history with LSU and its current head coach, Lane Kiffin.
Kiffin, for his part, had already extended congratulations to the Rebels’ staff and players. But in classic Kiffin fashion, he also let his social media do some of the talking.
He posted a pair of quotes that, while not directly aimed at anyone, felt timely enough to raise eyebrows. The first read: *“Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.
Ego is the enemy.” * He credited author Ryan Holiday.
Then came another layered message: “Two things define you: Your patience when you have nothing, and your attitude when you have everything,” a quote from George Bernard Shaw.
Now, we can’t say definitively that these posts were meant for Golding-but given the timing and the ongoing tension between Kiffin and the Ole Miss program he once led, the dots are easy to connect. It’s the kind of quiet, calculated messaging that Kiffin has become known for: not overt, but not exactly subtle either.
There’s still a complicated thread tying Kiffin to Ole Miss, and it’s more than just emotional. Financially, he’s still linked to the Rebels’ success.
According to reports, Kiffin’s contract includes clauses that reward him when Ole Miss wins-even more so than current head coach Pete Golding. And if Ole Miss does the unthinkable and captures a national title?
Kiffin would reportedly pocket a $1 million bonus.
So while Kiffin may be watching from Baton Rouge, he has more than a passing interest in how far the Rebels go. Whether he’s rooting for them out of loyalty, rivalry, or just plain economics, only he knows. But the numbers don’t lie-he stands to gain if Golding keeps winning.
Of course, the path forward is steep. Ole Miss now faces Georgia in the Sugar Bowl, and that’s a mountain few teams have successfully climbed.
Georgia is as complete a team as there is in college football-disciplined, deep, and playoff-tested. If Ole Miss wants to keep this run alive, they’ll need more than momentum-they’ll need near-perfection.
That’s what makes the Tulane game feel like more than just a win. It may have been the last truly favorable matchup before the gauntlet begins. But it was also a statement-a moment that crystallized Pete Golding’s emergence and reignited a fanbase hungry for more.
And in the background, Lane Kiffin watches. Quietly. But not without interest.