If you walk into a sports bar in Tuscaloosa or Oxford and ask about the Ole Miss versus Alabama rivalry, you're going to get two very different stories.
To the Crimson Tide faithful, it’s often viewed as a speed bump on the way to another national title—a game where the opponent is pesky but rarely a peer. But for the Rebels? This is the measuring stick. It’s the game that defines seasons, breaks hearts, and, on very rare occasions, produces a level of euphoria that can keep a small Mississippi town buzzing for a decade.
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Honestly, the "rivalry" label is something people debate. Is it really a rivalry if one team has won over 50 games and the other has barely cracked double digits? Alabama leads the all-time series 55-10-2. That’s a lopsided stat by any definition. But stats don't tell you how it feels when these two teams actually step on the grass.
The Saban-Kiffin Shadow and the New Guard
For years, this matchup was basically a psychological chess match between Nick Saban and his former offensive coordinator, Lane Kiffin. Kiffin is the guy who famously "trolled" Saban, used social media as a weapon, and brought a pro-style, lightning-fast offense to Oxford that actually made the Tide sweat.
But things changed fast. By the end of 2025, Kiffin had actually moved on to LSU—a move that felt like a betrayal to some and just "Lane being Lane" to others. Now, the dynamic has shifted. We're looking at Kalen DeBoer leading Alabama into a new era.
DeBoer doesn't have the same "grumpy mentor" history with the Rebels that Saban did. He’s more of a clinical tactician. In his first few years, he’s maintained that high winning percentage against ranked teams, currently sitting at roughly .833. That’s a scary number for any Rebel fan hoping for a slip-up.
Why 2014 and 2015 Still Matter
You can't talk about Ole Miss versus Alabama without mentioning the mid-2010s. It was the only time in history the Rebels won back-to-back games against the Tide.
In 2014, Oxford was the center of the universe. Bo Wallace played the game of his life, and Senquez Golson sealed it with an interception in the end zone that felt like it defied physics. Students literally tore down the goalposts and carried them through the streets. It wasn't just a win; it was an exorcism.
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Then they did it again in 2015. In Tuscaloosa. That 43-37 win was wild—five Alabama turnovers and a "prayer" pass that deflected off a helmet into the hands of Quincy Adeboyejo. Most Alabama fans will tell you it was a fluke. Ole Miss fans call it destiny.
The "Brick Bowl" and Other Weird History
People forget how weird this series used to be. Back in 1988, Ole Miss won 22-12 in Tuscaloosa. It was so unexpected that an angry Alabama fan allegedly threw a brick through Coach Bill Curry’s office window. That’s where the "Brick Bowl" nickname comes from.
Then you have the 1964 Sugar Bowl. It was played in New Orleans, and it remains the only time these two have met outside of Alabama or Mississippi. It was also the coldest Sugar Bowl on record. Alabama won 12-7 without scoring a single touchdown—four field goals did the trick. Imagine a modern SEC game ending 12-7 today. The fans would be calling for the offensive coordinator’s head by the second quarter.
It’s Not Just About Football Anymore
While the gridiron gets the glory, the Ole Miss versus Alabama rivalry in basketball has become a legitimate problem for the Tide.
In January 2025, a #21 ranked Ole Miss team walked into Coleman Coliseum and absolutely bullied a #4 Alabama squad. The final was 74-64. Malik Dia was a monster that night, putting up 23 points and 19 rebounds. Alabama turned the ball over 21 times.
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It was the first time Ole Miss had won in Tuscaloosa in a decade. It proved that the "Little Brother" energy is fading across all sports. The Rebels are spending money, recruiting elite talent, and—sorta—finding ways to win games they used to lose by thirty.
What to Watch For Next
The schedule has changed a bit with the new SEC expansion, but the core tension remains. Alabama still has the "Standard." Ole Miss still has the "Chutzpah."
If you’re betting on this matchup or just watching as a neutral fan, keep an eye on:
- The Turnover Margin: In almost every Ole Miss upset, they won the turnover battle by 3 or more.
- The "Alabama Hangover": Ole Miss often plays this game with such high intensity that they struggle the following week.
- Recruiting Invasions: Both schools recruit heavily from the same patches of dirt in Mobile and the Mississippi Delta. Seeing a kid from Alabama choose the Rebels is often the first spark of the next upset.
Next Steps for the Fan
To truly understand the weight of this matchup, you should look up the highlights of the 1969 "Archie Manning" game. It’s widely considered one of the greatest college football games ever played, even though the Rebels lost 33-32. It set the tone for the modern era of high-scoring SEC shootouts. If you're heading to a game soon, make sure to visit The Grove in Oxford at least five hours before kickoff—it's the only place where the tailgating is actually more competitive than the game itself.
Stay tuned to the official SEC availability reports during game week, as injuries to key defensive backs have historically been the deciding factor when the Rebels' "air raid" styles meet the Tide’s "hard-nosed" secondary.