For football fans, we’ve finally reached the best time of year. The college football season begins this weekend with Week 0, although the vast majority of schools don’t start until next week. That means a ramping up of predictions for teams, as well as predicting who may or may not make the College Football Playoff. So let’s take a look at the 2025 Ole Miss schedule, and figure out where they could find themselves by season’s end.
Can Ole Miss Surpass Preseason Expectations?
For Ole Miss, the expectations this year don’t match up to what was expected last season. Last season, it was essentially a playoff-or-bust type of year. As we know, they busted. Despite finishing 10-3, it was a disappointing season, as they missed the playoff. Now, having lost a ton of production, expectations are for them to be decent, but to miss the playoff.
So, do the 2025 Rebels ultimately finish where expected, somewhere around 8-4, or can they surprise many by sneaking into the playoffs?
Let’s take a look.
The 2025 Ole Miss Football Schedule
Week 1: vs Georgia State
Despite it being the first game with a ton of new pieces, the expectation should be for talent to win out in this one. We could easily see a slow start from Ole Miss that allows Georgia State to hang around, but by the second half, the Rebels should be able to pull away comfortably. This puts them at 1-0 to start the season.
Week 2: at Kentucky
One word. Revenge.
All Ole Miss fans can tell you that the collapse against Kentucky last season proved to be the main reason the Rebels missed out on a playoff appearance. This season, they travel to Lexington trying to return the favor. Expect them to get it done.
It’s still an early-season matchup, so expect some hiccups along the way. However, we already know Lane Kiffin has had this one circled since the disaster last year. The Rebels come out and pick up a big road win to move to 2-0.
Week 3: vs Arkansas
In all honesty, this game used to mean more. It used to be a huge rivalry for Ole Miss. Lately, it seems like the Hogs have fallen a bit behind, taking away from this matchup.
That being said, Sam Pittman’s squad can still sneak up if you’re not careful. Quarterback Taylen Green is a dual-threat guy who can make you pay if you aren’t careful.
But the rest of the roster doesn’t quite match up with the talent on Kiffin’s sideline. These two teams virtually always play each other close, so it’ll be fun, but expect Ole Miss to get another win.
Week 4: vs Tulane
Tulane is one of the best mid-majors out there. And with the addition of BYU transfer quarterback Jake Retzlaff, many think they could get the Group of 5 bid in this year’s College Football Playoff.
But that doesn’t mean they’re quite ready to upset a top-half SEC team. This game could easily look like the matchup from two years ago, in which the Rebels used a huge fourth quarter to pull away.
The Green Wave gives them a scare, but Ole Miss survives to stay unbeaten.
Week 5: vs LSU
This is going to be the first huge test for Ole Miss. LSU is already a massive rival, and this year they’re back to being a preseason top 10 team. Add in a potential top-10 overall pick in next year’s draft in Garrett Nussmeier, as well as last year’s tight loss for the Rebels in Baton Rouge, and this game is huge.
Ultimately, if they’re healthy, the Tigers are probably a slightly better team. LSU comes into Oxford and gives the Rebels their first loss of the season, in a game that comes down to the wire.
Week 6: Bye
Here’s to hoping Kiffin and company don’t find a way to lose to a bye week. Safe to say this one should be a win.
Week 7: vs Washington State
Coming off a bye week, this game shouldn’t prove to be too difficult for the Rebels. The Cougars have some talent on the roster, but it shouldn’t be enough to pull off the upset in Oxford.
Ole Miss picks up another win, moving to 5-1, which could be huge, given the next opponent on the schedule.
Week 8: at Georgia
This is an intriguing matchup for a variety of reasons. First off, there are a lot of questions about how good the Bulldogs are going to be this year. A lot of that is built around the unknown of quarterback Gunner Stockton.
Then there’s the fact that Ole Miss essentially ran Georgia off the field last year. Don’t think Kirby Smart is going to let his team forget about that.
Ultimately, the fact that this game is in Athens proves to be the difference maker. It comes down to the wire, but the Rebels come up short.
Week 9: at Oklahoma
Oklahoma is going to be better this year. But how much better?
It’s largely going to come down to how quarterback John Mateer adapts to the SEC. Against quality competition last season at Washington State, he struggled a bit. If he plays well, Oklahoma’s going to be a tough opponent.
However, the Ole Miss defense plays just well enough to pick up a major road win in Norman.
Week 10: vs South Carolina
Similar to Oklahoma, South Carolina is going as far as LaNorris Sellers takes them. Last year, Ole Miss went to Columbia and took down the Gamecocks 27-3. This year in Oxford, South Carolina, looks for revenge.
The problem is that the rest of the Gamecocks roster doesn’t necessarily ooze confidence. There are holes to be found in the roster. Given that, the Rebels manage to win a tight one at home, moving to 7-2.
Week 11: vs The Citadel
Quite simply, if Ole Miss collapses against The Citadel, there are going to be bigger problems in Oxford. Rebels win with ease.
Week 12: vs Florida
The question here is whether Florida quarterback DJ Lagway can stay healthy for a full season. If he can, Florida’s a playoff contender. The problem is that he proved to be injury prone during his freshman season.
Health questions at quarterback for the Gators, and with the Rebels seeking a bit of revenge following last year’s loss in The Swamp, Ole Miss manages to get over the edge in another close SEC matchup.
Week 13: Bye
Another pesky bye week, especially with the Egg Bowl the following week. Take Ole Miss to avoid the upset.
Week 14: at Mississippi State
It’s a rivalry game; it’s always close. But it has been a bit one-sided as of late.
That being said, Mississippi State is going to get better under Jeff Lebby. The problem is that the talent gap is still somewhat prominent right now between the two schools. It’ll be close, but the Rebels keep the Golden Egg in Oxford for another year.
Are the 2025 Ole Miss Rebels Playoff Bound?
If it plays out this way, a 10-2 SEC team is going to be tough to keep out of the College Football Playoff. But seeing as it likely wouldn’t be enough for an SEC Championship, it would have to come by way of an at-large bid. That always leaves room for questions, so no one really knows.
However, if Kiffin can get this team to another 10-win season, unlike last season, it would largely be viewed as a success for most Ole Miss fans.
Main Image: Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union
The post The Season Approaches: 2025 Ole Miss Football Predictions appeared first on Last Word on College Football.