Ole Miss Football Sits in Rare Territory Alongside Oregon Ducks, Oklahoma Sooners

The Rebels achieved the best season in program history with Trinidad Chambliss leading the way in 2025.

Mar. 22, 2026 at 10:49pm

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Ole Miss football had a historic 2025 season, reaching the College Football Playoff semifinals for the first time in program history. Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss led the way, finishing eighth in Heisman Trophy voting after throwing for 3,927 yards and 22 touchdowns, while adding 520 rushing yards and 8 scores. The Rebels' success has put them in rare company, as they join programs like Oregon, Oklahoma, UCLA, Florida, Alabama, and Tennessee as schools with head coaches in football and men's basketball that have reached a Final Four and the College Football Playoff.

Why it matters

Ole Miss' breakthrough season has elevated the program to new heights, placing them alongside some of the most prestigious athletic departments in the country. The Rebels' success across multiple sports under athletic director Keith Carter has made them a well-rounded program, and their football team's historic run has generated excitement and momentum heading into the 2026 season.

The details

In 2025, Ole Miss achieved the best season in program history, reaching the College Football Playoff semifinals. Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss was a key driver of the Rebels' success, throwing for 3,927 yards and 22 touchdowns, while also rushing for 520 yards and 8 scores. Chambliss finished eighth in Heisman Trophy voting that season. The Rebels' breakthrough campaign has put them in rare company, as they join programs like Oregon, Oklahoma, UCLA, Florida, Alabama, and Tennessee as schools with head coaches in football and men's basketball that have reached a Final Four and the College Football Playoff.

  • In 2025, the Ole Miss Rebels reached the College Football Playoff semifinals for the first time in program history.
  • Last month, quarterback Trinidad Chambliss expressed gratitude for the team's success, saying "God has been so good to me and this team. It's been a great ride. I wouldn't want to do it with any other people, whether it's coaches, players, people in the offices. It's just been a great ride."

The players

Trinidad Chambliss

The dual-threat quarterback led the Ole Miss Rebels to the College Football Playoff semifinals in 2025, throwing for 3,927 yards and 22 touchdowns, while also rushing for 520 yards and 8 scores. He finished eighth in Heisman Trophy voting that season.

Pete Golding

The head coach of the Ole Miss football team, who guided the Rebels to their historic 2025 season and College Football Playoff appearance.

Keith Carter

The athletic director at Ole Miss, who has overseen the Rebels' ascent as a well-rounded athletic department with success across multiple sports.

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What they’re saying

“God has been so good to me and this team. It's been a great ride. I wouldn't want to do it with any other people, whether it's coaches, players, people in the offices. It's just been a great ride.”

— Trinidad Chambliss, Quarterback

“To be honest with you, I think I'll just remember how they embraced each other. There was a lot over the last month or so to where somebody could have not been a good dude. Somebody could've not worked hard. Somebody could have not showed up on time. I can't recall one issue, and that's just based on who these guys are. They took over the team and they showed up everyday and went to work and made sure the people around them went to work.”

— Pete Golding, Head Coach

What’s next

The Rebels will look to build on their historic 2025 season and return to the College Football Playoff in 2026 with Chambliss leading the way.

The takeaway

Ole Miss' breakthrough 2025 season has elevated the program to new heights, placing them alongside some of the most prestigious athletic departments in the country. The Rebels' success across multiple sports has made them a well-rounded program, and their football team's historic run has generated excitement and momentum heading into the 2026 season.