If you’re waking up in Oxford or checking your phone from across the country to see who does Ole Miss football play today, I have some news that might be a bit of a letdown. Or a relief, depending on how much sleep you’ve lost over the last month.
The Rebels do not have a game today, January 17, 2026.
Actually, the season is officially over. It’s done. The pads are in the lockers, and the recruiting trail is the new primary battlefield. If you feel like you missed something, it’s probably because the last few weeks were a literal fever dream for the Ole Miss faithful. We just witnessed the deepest postseason run in the modern history of the program, and frankly, the dust is still settling on a year that changed everything in Oxford.
Why the Schedule is Empty Right Now
College football is a seasonal beast. By mid-January, we've usually transitioned into the "dark period" where the only thing moving is the transfer portal and coaching rumors.
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Ole Miss’s 2025-26 campaign hit its peak—and its conclusion—just nine days ago. On January 8, 2026, the Rebels lined up against the Miami Hurricanes in the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, which served as a College Football Playoff Semifinal. It was a heartbreaker. A 31-27 loss that saw Miami score a touchdown with only 18 seconds left on the clock. It was the kind of game that stays with a fan base for a decade.
So, while there is no game today, the reason you’re likely asking is that the Rebels were just on the biggest stage possible. They weren't just "playing some bowl game"; they were the SEC's final hope for a national title.
The Road That Just Ended
To understand why today is so quiet, you have to look at the gauntlet this team just ran:
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- December 20, 2025: A dominant 41-10 win over Tulane in the CFP First Round at Vaught-Hemingway.
- January 1, 2026: A legendary 39-34 upset over Georgia in the Sugar Bowl (Quarterfinals).
- January 8, 2026: That narrow 31-27 loss to Miami in Glendale.
Who Does Ole Miss Football Play Next?
Since there’s no game today, your eyes are probably already drifting toward the fall. I get it. The 2026 schedule is already out, and it looks like a monster.
The next time you’ll see the Rebels take the field for a real game will be September 5 or 6, 2026, against Louisville. That’s a neutral-site season opener in Nashville at Nissan Stadium. It’s going to be a massive "Hotty Toddy" takeover in Music City.
If you’re looking for the home opener in Oxford, mark your calendar for September 12, 2026, when Charlotte comes to town. But the real meat of the schedule starts early this time around. LSU visits Vaught-Hemingway on September 19. That’s a Week 3 conference showdown that will likely have massive playoff implications right out of the gate.
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The Drama Happening Today (Off the Field)
Even though they aren't playing a game today, the news cycle is absolutely on fire. If you want to know "what's happening with Ole Miss football today," the answer is: courtrooms and contracts.
The biggest story right now involves quarterback Trinidad Chambliss. After a season where he threw for nearly 4,000 yards and led the Rebels to 13 wins, he’s currently in a legal battle with the NCAA. Just yesterday, January 16, his legal team filed a lawsuit in Lafayette County seeking an injunction to grant him a sixth year of eligibility.
The NCAA denied his waiver on January 9—the day after the Fiesta Bowl loss. They claimed he didn't provide enough medical evidence for his 2022 season at Ferris State. It’s a mess. Honestly, the outcome of this lawsuit matters more to the program's 2026 success than any game they could have played today. New coach Pete Golding is basically waiting to see if he has a Heisman-caliber QB or if he needs to go hunting in the portal immediately.
What to Watch This Week
- Court Rulings: Keep an eye on the local news for updates on the Chambliss injunction.
- Assistant Coaching Hires: With Lane Kiffin gone to LSU, Golding is still filling out some key spots on the defensive side of the ball.
- Season Ticket Sales: These officially go on sale this month. After a 13-2 season, expect them to vanish instantly.
Actionable Steps for Rebels Fans
Since you can't watch a game today, here is how you can stay locked in for the 2026 season:
- Check the legal updates: Follow local reporters like those at the Oxford Eagle or 247Sports for the latest on the Trinidad Chambliss lawsuit. This is the "game" being played today.
- Book your Nashville hotel: If you plan on going to the Louisville game in September, do it now. Nissan Stadium games fill up the Broadway area months in advance.
- Review the 2026 Schedule: Remember, the SEC is moving to a nine-game conference slate. Ole Miss has road trips to Texas, Oklahoma, and Florida this year. It's a brutal travel schedule.
The wait for September feels long, but for a program that just finished in the Top 4, the offseason is just a different kind of season.