Where Ole Miss football ranks in early Top 25 polls for the 2026 season
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OXFORD — Even though quarterback Trinidad Chambliss’ future with Ole Miss football is up in the air, the Rebels are projected to be good next season.
USA TODAY Sports projected way-too-early rankings for the 2026 football season.
Ole Miss came in at No. 20, with the following breakdown.
“After a run to the semifinals, it’s Pete Golding’s show in Oxford and building on the momentum will be crucial. With quarterback Trinidad Chambliss currently denied an extra year, Golding brought in Deuce Knight from Auburn. Knight was a five-star recruit but redshirted last season. RB Kewan Lacy was one of the key players that stuck with Ole Miss amid the departure of Lane Kiffin. The wide receiver group will feature arrivals Darrell Gill (Syracuse) and Cameron Miller (Kentucky). The defense has a lot of moving parts with DL Jordan Renaud (Alabama) and LB Blake Purchase (Oregon) coming aboard to help offset some significant departures.”
Ole Miss was No. 20 in CBS Sports’ preseason rankings, No. 5 in Fox Sports’ list and No. 15 on the Athletic’s rankings.
Lacy is returning for his junior season and should anchor a strong rushing attack. Even if Chambliss wins his lawsuit with the NCAA and can return to be the Rebels’ quarterback, it’s set to be a new-look team.
Coach Pete Golding has been active in the transfer portal. His incoming class consists of 26 players. There have been 21 Rebels who entered the transfer portal.
Ole Miss ranked No. 2 in the 247Sports portal class rankings on Jan. 20 behind LSU and former coach Lane Kiffin.
Former Mississippi State safety Tony Mitchell is the latest addition. He committed Jan. 20.
USA TODAY’s early 2026 rankings
- Texas
- Ohio State
- Georgia
- Indiana
- Notre Dame
- Oklahoma
- Texas Tech
- Texas A&M
- Oregon
- Miami
- Alabama
- Southern California
- BYU
- Michigan
- LSU
- SMU
- Penn State
- Utah
- Clemson
- Ole Miss
- Iowa
- Florida State
- Houston
- Tennessee
- Boise State
Sam Hutchens covers Ole Miss for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at Shutchens@gannett.com or reach him on X at @Sam_Hutchens_
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Ole Miss college football poll rankings for 2026 seasons
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