The College Football Playoff (CFP) selection committee has ranked the University of Mississippi, commonly known as Ole Miss, sixth in its latest standings, following the Rebels’ impressive 38-19 victory over rival Mississippi State in the recent Egg Bowl. This ranking comes despite the recent departure of former head coach Lane Kiffin, who left Ole Miss to take the head coaching position at LSU.
Ole Miss athletic director Keith Carter expressed relief that the committee did not penalize the team for Kiffin’s exit, which occurred on Sunday. Carter stated, “Obviously, our team is still intact. Our players are fired up and ready to go. We’ve got a great staff that’s ready to roll throughout the playoff run.” The Rebels now hold a record of 11-1, marking the first time in school history they have achieved such a number of wins in the regular season.
Current Rankings and Playoff Implications
The top two positions in the rankings are held by unbeaten teams, Ohio State and Indiana, followed by Georgia at third, Texas Tech at fourth, and Oregon at fifth. Notably, Texas A&M dropped four spots to seventh after suffering its first loss of the season against Texas, which was a 27-17 defeat.
If the rankings were to determine the playoff matchups today, Ole Miss would face Virginia in the first round, while the other matchups would feature Tulane at Oregon, Notre Dame at Texas A&M, and Alabama at Oklahoma. The final CFP rankings will be announced on December 3, 2023, providing clarity on the playoff picture.
Kiffin’s Departure and Its Impact
Kiffin’s move to LSU marks the end of his tenure at Ole Miss, where he had signed a seven-year contract that would position him among the highest-paid coaches in college football. As part of his transition, he took several assistant coaches with him to Baton Rouge. In a statement, Kiffin expressed hope that the committee would recognize the efforts of his players, stating, “I’ve already made the committee aware of this and I’m hopeful this decision will allow Ole Miss to receive the highest ranking possible because these great players are very deserving of that.”
With Charlie Weis Jr., the offensive coordinator who served as the primary play-caller this season, allowed to return to Ole Miss for the CFP, the team maintains a semblance of continuity in its coaching staff.
The rankings reflect the competitive nature of college football, particularly with the potential for two champions from Group of Five leagues to secure playoff spots this year. The final matchups and rankings will be closely monitored as teams prepare for the postseason.
