You’ve seen the headlines by now. Lane Kiffin took the money and the gumbo at LSU, leaving a trail of "what ifs" behind him in Oxford. But if you’re looking at the football schedule ole miss has laid out for 2026, you'll realize the program isn't just folding its tents and going home. Honestly, it’s kinda the opposite.
Pete Golding is at the helm now. He took over for the College Football Playoff run at the end of the 2025 season after Kiffin’s dramatic exit, and the 2026 slate is his first real opportunity to prove the Rebels can survive without the "Portal King." It is a brutal road ahead. The SEC moved to a nine-game conference format this year, which means the margin for error basically doesn't exist anymore.
The 2026 Gauntlet: Dates and Destinies
The season kicks off with a massive neutral-site game in Nashville. We aren't talking about a cupcake here. Ole Miss draws Louisville at Nissan Stadium on September 5 (or 6, depending on the TV slots). It's a high-stakes way to start the post-Kiffin era.
If they survive Nashville, the Rebels get a quick breather at home against Charlotte on September 12 before the SEC schedule hits like a freight train.
September 19 is the date everyone in Oxford has circled, highlighted, and probably cursed at. LSU comes to Vaught-Hemingway. Seeing Kiffin on the opposing sideline in his first year in Baton Rouge is going to be surreal, and frankly, a bit toxic. The atmosphere will be insane.
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After that emotional rollercoaster, the Rebels hit the road:
- Sept. 26: at Florida (The Swamp is never easy)
- Oct. 10: at Vanderbilt (A predictable "trap" game after a bye week)
- Oct. 17: vs. Missouri (First time Mizzou has been in Oxford since 2013)
- Oct. 24: at Texas (A massive test in Austin)
- Oct. 31: vs. Auburn (Halloween in the Grove? Yes, please)
Why the New Format Changes Everything
Basically, the SEC’s new scheduling model means Ole Miss now has three permanent "annual" rivals through 2029: Mississippi State, LSU, and Oklahoma. This is why the football schedule ole miss looks so much heavier this year. You no longer have those years where you "miss" the big dogs.
November doesn't get any lighter. Georgia comes to town on November 7. Remember that 2024 dominant win against the Bulldogs? Golding will need that same defensive magic because the very next week, the Rebels travel to Norman to face Oklahoma on November 14.
The season wraps up with a non-conference game against Wofford on November 21, which feels like a much-needed deep breath before the Egg Bowl. Speaking of which, the Battle for the Golden Egg returns to Oxford on November 28. There’s something special about having that game at home to close out the year, especially with the playoff implications that are now standard for this program.
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The Trinidad Chambliss Era
It’s not just about who is coaching; it’s about who is taking the snaps. Trinidad Chambliss, the senior transfer who stepped in after the Jaxson Dart era, is the guy. Last year, he put up over 3,900 yards and 22 touchdowns, leading the Rebels to a 13-2 record and a deep playoff run that ended in the Fiesta Bowl against Miami.
People were worried about the transition from Dart, but Chambliss proved he’s more than a bridge quarterback. He’s a playmaker.
"Trinidad has a level of poise you don't often see in transfers," Pete Golding noted during the spring sessions. "He isn't just running the offense; he's commanding it."
He’ll have plenty of weapons, too. De'Zhaun Stribling and Cayden Lee are back, and the backfield is anchored by Kewan Lacy, who averaged over five yards a carry last season. The talent is there. The question is whether the chemistry holds up under the pressure of this 2026 schedule.
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Key Matchups to Watch
- The Kiffin Bowl (Sept. 19 vs. LSU): This isn't just a game; it's a grudge match. LSU's $91 million man returns to the place he helped rebuild. If Golding wins this, he's a hero forever.
- The Texas Trip (Oct. 24): Going into Austin is a different beast. This game will likely determine if Ole Miss is a CFP contender or just another "good" SEC team.
- The Georgia Test (Nov. 7): Kirby Smart doesn't forget. After the Rebels embarrassed Georgia in 2024, the Bulldogs have had this game circled for two years.
Managing the Expectations
Look, Ole Miss fans are used to the "Next Year" mantra, but the last few seasons have changed the DNA of the program. Back-to-back 10-win seasons (2023, 2024) and a 13-win 2025 season have set the bar at an astronomical height.
Is it fair to expect a 12-team playoff berth every year? Maybe not. But with the talent on this roster and the way Golding has kept the recruiting class together after Kiffin left, the Rebels are firmly in the "Big Three" conversation of the SEC along with Georgia and Texas.
The defense is actually the unit most people are excited about. Golding’s 3-4 base defense was top-tier last year, allowing only about 14 points per game. With Suntarine Perkins and T.J. Dudley returning at linebacker, the front seven should be terrifying for opposing quarterbacks.
What to Do Next
If you’re planning on heading to Oxford for any of these games, specifically the LSU or Mississippi State matchups, you need to book your stay now. Seriously. The hotels around the Square fill up 10 months in advance for the big ones.
Check the official Ole Miss Athletics site or the SEC Network for the specific kickoff times for the Louisville game, as that Nashville trip is going to be a logistical nightmare if you wait until August. Keep an eye on the transfer portal window in the spring—Golding has a few spots left on the offensive line that he’s looking to fill with veteran SEC depth.