If you’re checking the score to see did Ole Miss football win today, the short answer is no—but not because they lost. The Rebels didn't actually play a game today, January 16, 2026. Their season ended just over a week ago in a heartbreaker at the Fiesta Bowl.
Honestly, the "today" for Ole Miss right now isn't about touchdowns or field goals. It's about the transfer portal. It's about Pete Golding trying to hold a roster together. It’s about the wild, messy reality of modern college football where the game never actually stops, even when the pads are off.
The Heartbreak in Glendale: What Happened to the Rebels?
A lot of fans are still reeling from that January 8th matchup. Ole Miss went into the College Football Playoff semifinal against Miami with a massive amount of momentum. They had just dismantled Georgia 39-34 in the Sugar Bowl on New Year's Day. Everyone in Oxford was starting to believe that a national title was actually possible.
The Fiesta Bowl was a rollercoaster.
Trinidad Chambliss, the quarterback who basically became a folk hero this season after coming over from the D-II ranks, threw for 277 yards. He was gritty. He found Dae’Quan Wright for a 24-yard score late in the fourth quarter to give the Rebels a 27-24 lead. For a few minutes there, it felt like Ole Miss was headed to the ship.
Then Carson Beck happened.
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The Miami QB orchestrated a 15-play drive that felt like it took a decade. He scrambled for a 3-yard touchdown with 18 seconds left on the clock. Ole Miss had one last heave, a desperation "Hail Mary" from Chambliss that just... fell incomplete. Final score: Miami 31, Ole Miss 27. It was brutal.
Did Ole Miss Football Win Today? The State of the Roster
Since the season is over, the "wins" for Ole Miss right now happen in the recruiting offices. It’s been a busy 24 hours. Just yesterday, January 15, the Rebels landed a significant commitment from former Alabama defensive lineman Jordan Renaud.
Renaud is a massive human being who spent three years in the Bama rotation. He’s the kind of guy who doesn't necessarily fill up a stat sheet with flashy sacks, but he eats up space and allows linebackers to run free. Getting him to commit after a visit to Oxford is a huge "W" for Golding's defense.
But the portal is a fickle beast.
While Renaud is coming in, some big names are heading out. Princewill Umanmielen, who led the team with nine sacks this season, officially hit the transfer portal yesterday. Losing a pass rusher of that caliber is a gut punch. On top of that, TJ Dottery—a linebacker who was everywhere during the playoff run—is reportedly trending toward LSU.
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Breaking Down the 2025 Campaign
You can't talk about whether they won today without looking at the 13-2 record they just put up. This was arguably the greatest season in the history of the program.
- The Sugar Bowl Miracle: Beating No. 3 Georgia 39-34 was the peak. Lucas Carneiro kicked field goals of 55 and 56 yards in that game. That's NFL-level stuff.
- The Running Game: Kewan Lacy finished the year as one of the top rushers in the country. His 73-yard TD run against Miami was the longest run that defense had allowed in years.
- The Quarterback Factor: Nobody expected Trinidad Chambliss to be this good. He threw for 362 yards against Georgia and kept the Rebels in every single game.
What’s Next for Ole Miss?
The focus has already shifted to the 2026 opener. Mark your calendars for September 5, 2026. The Rebels are heading to Nashville to face Louisville at Nissan Stadium. It’s going to be a massive neutral-site game to kick off a new era.
There's also the "Lane Kiffin" factor—or rather, the lack of it. With Kiffin now at LSU, the September 19th matchup against the Tigers in Oxford is going to be the most toxic, electric, and high-stakes game Vaught-Hemingway has seen in a long time. Pete Golding is the man in charge now, and he’s already proved he can coach, but the 2026 schedule is a gauntlet.
The SEC is moving to a nine-game conference schedule. That means more big games, fewer "cupcake" Saturdays, and a whole lot of stress for the fans in the Grove.
Actionable Next Steps for Rebels Fans
If you're looking to keep up with the team during the off-season, here is what you should actually be doing:
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Track the Transfer Portal: Follow reliable beat writers like those at The Rebel Walk or Inside the Rebels. The roster you see today will not be the roster that takes the field in September. With 17 players already in the portal, including names like Da'Shawn Womack and TJ Dottery, the staff is working overtime to find replacements.
Secure Your Tickets: The 2026 home slate includes LSU, Georgia, and Oklahoma. Demand is going to be at an all-time high after this playoff run. If you aren't already on the season ticket waiting list, you're probably going to be paying triple on the secondary market.
Watch the Recruiting Trail: Keep an eye on D-III edge rusher Liam Danitz. He’s currently visiting Oxford and could be the "diamond in the rough" that helps mitigate the loss of Umanmielen.
So, while Ole Miss didn't win a game on the field today, the program is arguably at its highest point in decades. The loss to Miami hurts, but the foundation is there. The "today" of Ole Miss football is all about building for a return to the playoffs in 2026.