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How will teams look to beat Ole Miss in 2026? Its an intriguing question, not only because its July and there are still weeks to go until the first snaps of the season are taken.
Yet also because, on paper, the Rebels have the makings of the most adaptable team in college football this season.
Which is precisely why the Rebels shouldnt be overlooked when it comes to SEC Championship and College Football Playoff contention.
This isnt to say that the Rebels dont have questions.
There are certainly many as they look to balance the losses of key players from last season while also integrating another top-15 transfer portal class.
Yet, despite it all, the Rebels under head coach Pete Golding on paper look to be a team set up to win multiple ways.
Smash-Mouth Do you want to play within a box and try to lessen the effect of the playmakers on the perimeter? Offensive coordinator John David Baker likely loves this idea, as it means he can lean on the returning Doak Walker Award winner, Kewan Lacy, to win them the game.
While much of the Lane Kiffin offense called for more of the flash-and-dash variety, opting to allow the athletes on the perimeter to win downfield.
Lacy's return now has the Rebels expected to take on a more physical approach to offense this season.
And rightfully so; if you have the best returning running back in college football, why not use him? More Kiffin-Esque If teams arent so keen on making it a battle at the line of scrimmage and want to force the new-look wide-receiving corps to beat them, then Ole Miss has a point-guard-like quarterback and playmaker in his own right, with Trinidad Chambliss.
Yes, without DeZhaun Stribling, Harrison Wallace II, and Cayden Lee, Chambliss doesnt have much returning production out wide.
Yet, the additions of Horatio Fields, Jontay Cook II, and Darrell Gill, among others, all fit the mold of what has worked in the past.
With an unproven receiving corps, this may very well be the route opposing defenses opt for early in the season.
They will stack the box and make Chambliss and Co., beat them.
While we have yet to see what rapport Chambliss can build with his new weapons, his ability to remain explosive last season while limiting turnovers could be useful yet again.
Harrison Reno is a contributing writer for multiple On SI websites covering SEC Football.
He is a graduate of the University of Georgia's Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication.
He has previously covered multiple NFL teams as a contributing writer for On SI and other networks.
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