The Ole Miss Rebels ended the 2025-26 season with one of their best finishes in years, with a program record of 13 wins and two losses and their highest AP Poll ranking since 1962 at No. 3. More impressively, the Rebels completed these feats amid classic college football chaos, with former head coach Lane Kiffin leaving for LSU right before Ole Miss headed into a historic college playoff run.

There are several reasons for college football fans to be optimistic about the Rebels' chances of continuing their program record-shattering ways, and even become contenders for a national title.

Pete Golding Returns for His First Full Season as Head Coach

Mississippi Rebels head coach Pete Golding smiles on stage after the 2026 Sugar Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff | Amber Searls-Imagn Images

In Kiffin's absence, former defensive coordinator Pete Golding was called up to fill the head coaching vacancy as the Rebels embarked on their first postseason run in the era of the College Football…