Who will Ole Miss play in CFP bracket? These 5 games will decide Rebels' opponent
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Ole Miss football is sixth in the most recent College Football Playoff rankings, and there’s a good chance that’s where the Rebels will end up in the final poll Dec. 7.
But what happens in the conference championship games will determine who new coach Pete Golding and the Rebels will host in a first-round game Dec. 19 or 20.
Ole Miss needs to finish ranked No. 5-8 in the final rankings to host a first-round game and that’s where the Rebels should be once the conference championship games are done.
Coach Lane Kiffin leaving for LSU did not impact Ole Miss (11-1) in the polls, so there’s no reason for Rebels fans to sweat whether the Rebels will make the 12-team bracket.
The top five conference champions in the final CFP rankings get automatic spots in the playoffs. Here are five conference championship games that will have the most impact on who the Rebels will play.
Sun Belt: Troy at James Madison
Time/TV: Dec. 5, 6 p.m. CT, ESPN.
How Ole Miss could play James Madison: The Dukes (11-1) were No. 25 in the last CFP rankings.
James Madison’s only shot to make the playoffs is beating Troy (8-4) in the Sun Belt title game and Duke beating Virginia in the ACC Championship Game.
Since James Madison is ranked ahead of Duke in the CFP poll, the Dukes should get the final conference champions spot and the No. 12 seed. If Ole Miss ends up ranked No. 5, the Rebels would host James Madison.
American: North Texas at Tulane
Time/TV: Dec. 5, 7 p.m. CT, ABC.
How Ole Miss could play North Texas or Tulane: Tulane (10-2) was No. 20 and North Texas (11-1) was No. 24 in the latest CFP rankings.
At worst the American Conference winner would claim the final conference champions spot and be the No. 12 seed. But the American winner could end up as the No. 11 seed if Duke beats Virginia in the ACC Championship.
If Ole Miss finishes as the No. 5 of 6 team the Rebels could host the American champion in the first round.
Big 12: Texas Tech vs. Brigham Young
Time/TV: Dec. 6, 11 a.m. CT, ABC.
How Ole Miss is impacted: Ole Miss’ seeding could be impacted if No. 11 Brigham Young (11-1) upsets No. 4 Texas Tech (11-1).
In that case, Texas Tech would likely drop below Ole Miss, pushing the Rebels up to the No. 5 seed.
SEC: Georgia vs. Alabama
Time/TV: Dec. 6, 3 p.m. CT, ABC.
How Ole Miss is impacted: If No. 9 Alabama (10-2) beats No. 3 Georgia (11-1), Alabama would be the highest-rated SEC team and Georgia would likely be the next highest-rated SEC team.
This would push Ole Miss down to No. 7, and the Rebels would host the No. 10 team. That team could be Notre Dame, BYU or even Miami.
ACC: Virginia vs. Duke
Time/TV: Dec. 6, 7 p.m. CT, ABC
How Ole Miss could play Virginia or Duke: If No. 17 Virginia (10-2) wins, the Cavaliers would get the fourth conference champions spot and would be seeded No. 11 in the final bracket.
So Ole Miss would play Virginia if it remains in the No. 6 spot.
Duke (7-5) was unranked in the latest CFP poll. For Duke to make the playoffs the Blue Devils would need to beat Virginia and then hope Troy beats James Madison in the Sun Belt Championship.
That would give the Blue Devils the final conference champions spot and the No. 12 seed. If Ole Miss moves up to No. 5, the Rebels would host Duke.
When does College Football Playoff bracket come out?
The final CFP rankings will be released on Dec. 7. You can watch or stream the College Football Playoff selection show on ESPN.
What time is the College Football Playoff selection show?
The CFP rankings selection show is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. CT on Dec. 7.
College Football Playoff bracket 2025-26 dates
- First round: Dec. 19 and 20
- Quarterfinals: Dec. 31 and Jan. 1
- Semifinals: Jan. 8 and 9
- National championship: Jan. 19
Contributing: Sam Hutchens, Paul Myerberg
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Ole Miss football CFP opponent, who Rebels will play in first round
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