Ole Miss vs Oklahoma: College Football Playoff Eliminator Game Looms in Norman

No. 8 Ole Miss travels to face No. 13 Oklahoma this Saturday. The high-stakes matchup is set for Norman. Kickoff is 11 a.m. CT on ABC. This game is widely seen as a College Football Playoff eliminator for both teams.

According to ESPN, the Rebels are looking to rebound from their first loss. They fell to Georgia last weekend. A second SEC loss would severely damage their playoff hopes. The Sooners also face a critical test for their own postseason aspirations.

Playoff Implications Heighten Saturday’s Stakes

Both teams enter with identical 6-1 records. Ole Miss holds a 3-1 conference record. Oklahoma sits at 2-1 in the SEC. The Rebels are currently a 5.5-point road underdog on BetMGM.

The loser will face a difficult path to the playoff. Ole Miss has a more manageable schedule after this game. Oklahoma must still face Tennessee, Alabama, and Missouri. A win is crucial for both teams’ résumés.

Key Matchups and Historical Context

This is only the third meeting between the schools. Ole Miss leads the series 2-0. It is the first-ever game played in Norman. The combined history of these programs includes 1,648 all-time wins.

Lane Kiffin has led Ole Miss to a 45-14 record since 2021. That ranks third in the SEC for wins in that span. Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss continues to impress. He is the first Rebel since Eli Manning to throw for 250 yards in his first five starts.

This College Football Playoff eliminator game will define the season for both programs. The winner keeps its national championship hopes alive. The loser faces an uphill battle in a crowded SEC landscape.

Info at your fingertips

What are the playoff implications for the loser?

The losing team will likely be eliminated from College Football Playoff contention. A second loss makes it nearly impossible to secure a top-four spot. The defeat would also hurt their chances for a major bowl game.

How has Ole Miss performed after losses under Lane Kiffin?

The Rebels have shown resilience under Kiffin’s leadership. They typically bounce back strong following a defeat. The team’s 45-14 record since 2021 demonstrates consistent performance.

What is the historical record between these teams?

Ole Miss leads the all-time series 2-0. The Rebels won meetings in 1999 and 2024. This is their first-ever game played at Oklahoma’s Memorial Stadium.

Who is the quarterback to watch for Ole Miss?

Trinidad Chambliss is the Rebels’ standout quarterback. He has thrown for 250+ yards in his first five starts. He is the first Ole Miss QB to do this since Eli Manning in 2001.

Why is this game critical for Oklahoma’s season?

Oklahoma faces a brutal remaining schedule after this game. They still must play Tennessee, Alabama, and Missouri. A loss here would make reaching the SEC championship very difficult.