Ole Miss Football stays at No. 9 in Week 1 AP Poll

The regular-season Golding era began with a bang in Nashville with the Rebels walking off Louisville thanks to Lucas Carneiro’s last second, 48-yard field goal.

The Ole Miss Rebels are ranked No. 9 in the AP Poll after Week 1. Nine SEC teams were included in the poll — the most of any conference.

Texas and Georgia are in the top five. LSU moved up to No. 8 after defeating Clemson 51-10. Texas A&M, Oklahoma and Alabama are right behind Ole Miss. Tennessee is No. 18 and Missouri is No. 23.

Ole Miss began its 2026 season with a 41-38 victory over No. 24 Louisville in the Liberty Mutual Music City Kickoff at Nissan Stadium in Nashville on Sept. 6. Neither the Rebels nor the Cardinals moved in the rankings.

Kewan Lacy runs the ball in the game against Louisville in Nissan Stadium on Sept. 6. Photo by Daniel Laubhan

After a shaky start from both sides, the game became a spectacle down the stretch, with Rebel kicker Lucas Carneiro drilling a long field goal as time expired to give Ole Miss the win.

Ole Miss is a team full of new faces who did not immediately gel. Much of the Rebels’ offensive success came from returners quarterback Trinidad Chambliss and wide receiver Deuce Alexander. However, the season is young, and there is plenty to be excited about.

Transfer linebackers Luke Ferrelli (Clemson) and Keaton Thomas (Baylor) appeared to slot in comfortably on the defensive side, along with the rest of the defensive front.

This week’s poll was released two days later than usual due to the opening week slate expanding to Sunday and Monday. For the remainder of the season, it will be released on Sundays at 1 p.m.

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Ole Miss Football stays at No. 9 in Week 1 AP Poll

The regular-season Golding era began with a bang in Nashville with the Rebels walking off Louisville thanks to Lucas Carneiro’s last second, 48-yard field goal.

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