NCAA Desk · Ole Miss Season Recap · October 25, 2026

Ole Miss at the Turn: 5–2, a Heisman Candidate, and a Season Still in Their Hands

Halfway home, Ole Miss is 5–2, 3–2 in the SEC, and coming off a 34–27 loss at Texas that felt less like a defeat than a warning shot. Pete Golding's first season has a signature win, a Heisman candidate at quarterback, and one enormous Saturday — Georgia, in Oxford, Nov. 7 — standing between the Rebels and everything.

The résumé so far

It started with a 41–38 shootout win over Louisville in Nashville and a 41–9 cruise past Charlotte. Then the first statement: 32–24 over then-No. 7 LSU in Oxford. The season's one no-show followed — a 52–28 loss at Florida — before the Rebels re-established themselves with a 52–17 rout at Vanderbilt and a 31–3 dismantling of No. 13 Missouri. The AP voters have ridden the same rollercoaster: the Rebels climbed from No. 9 to No. 4, fell back, and went to Austin ranked No. 7.

The Texas autopsy

The first half was the worst of the season: down 24–3, with Trinidad Chambliss 6-for-18 with two interceptions. Golding's own most regretted call came before the break — fourth-and-goal from the Texas 2, a field goal declined, and a tunnel screen intercepted in the end zone. "When you crawl back in games, points matter," Golding said. And crawl back they did: 21 unanswered points to tie it 24–24, both Chambliss touchdown passes to Horatio Fields. Texas answered with an Arch Manning touchdown run and a field goal; Ole Miss kicked late, recovered the onside kick, and drove to the Texas 29 before the final Hail Mary was intercepted in the end zone. Chambliss finished 25-for-52 for 250 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions — the whole season's boom-and-bust in one box score. Running back Kewan Lacy left with a shoulder injury and did not return; his status is the week's biggest question.

What it means

Two losses, and the Playoff path is still simple to say and hard to walk: win out, and Ole Miss is in. Auburn comes to Oxford on Halloween. Then No. 5 Georgia — 6–1 — visits Vaught-Hemingway on Nov. 7, the kind of game that defines a first-year head coach. A road trip to Oklahoma, a breather against Wofford, and the Egg Bowl against Mississippi State close it. Lose to Georgia and the Rebels need chaos. Beat Georgia, and the Texas loss becomes the night this team learned how good it has to be. Hotty Toddy.

Sources: Associated Press and Clarion Ledger game reports; Sports-Reference 2026 Ole Miss schedule and AP poll history. Records through October 24, 2026.