College football season is almost here, bringing with it high expectations for the Ole Miss Rebels. The recent Preseason AP Top 25 ranked the Rebels in sixth place, the highest since a fifth-place ranking in 1970.
With returning players such as Jaxson Dart, Tre Harris and Jordan Watkins along with Head Coach Lane Kiffin working his portal magic in the off-season yet again, the hype around this team is understandable. In the wake of a loss to Georgia last season, additions such as Walter Nolen, Princely Umanmielen and Juice Wells have bolstered the Rebels in size, speed and talent.
The season opener against Furman will provide fans with their first look at this team and all its moving parts. While the Paladins are a non-conference opponent, it will be an important first step against a team who made a NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision playoff run the year before.
Furman won the Southern Conference last year, as they reached 7-1 in conference play and 10-3 overall. In 2023, the Paladins totaled 2,462 passing yards, 386 behind their opponents. They excelled on the ground, totaling 2,046 rushing yards, 786 more than their opponents.
Ole Miss last played Furman on Nov. 15, 1924, meaning that nearly a century has passed since the two teams have faced off. The Rebels, led by single season Head Coach Chester S. Barnard, lost in a low-scoring game of 2-7.
Oddsmakers and analysts will and should predict the Rebels to start the season 1-0. The Rebels open up as a 40.5 point favorite against Furman, with the over/under set at 60.5. The Ole Miss offense is portrayed as one of the most explosive and powerful in the league, hence the high scoring spread.
The opener is scheduled for Aug. 31 at 6 p.m. at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium and will be available on ESPN+ or SEC Network+.
