National media outlet explains why they're 'taking the bait' with Lane Kiffin and the Ole Miss Rebels
"There's an old saying in Tennessee — I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee — that says, fool me once, shame on — shame on you. Fool me — you can't get fooled again.” ― George W. Bush Earlier this week, CBS Sports detailed the five SEC teams that are "legitimate national championship contenders" […]
"There's an old saying in Tennessee — I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee — that says, fool me once, shame on — shame on you. Fool me — you can't get fooled again.” ― George W. Bush
Earlier this week, CBS Sports detailed the five SEC teams that are "legitimate national championship contenders" in 2025, and when I saw that they included the Ole Miss Rebels, I immediately thought of former President George W. Bush's "fool me once" gaffe from 2002.
Ole Miss was a popular pick to reach the College Football Playoff in 2024 thanks to the presence of quarterback Jaxson Dart and the Rebels' strong efforts in the NCAA transfer portal.
Lane Kiffin's Ole Miss squad, however, came up just short of reaching the playoff due to losses to the Kentucky Wildcats and the Florida Gators. If the Rebels would've won either of those games, they undoubtedly would've been included in the playoff last season.
CBS Sports, perhaps thinking they "can't get fooled again" is rocking with Ole Miss again in 2025. And they explained why they're "taking the bait" with Kiffin and the Rebels.
From CBS Sports: Lane Kiffin had us fooled into believing Ole Miss was a playoff contender again last season. So, why are we taking the bait for a third time? That schedule is incredibly tempting, with five of the first six games at home and the most challenging road trips not coming until back-to-back jaunts to Georgia and Oklahoma. That's right: no Alabama or Texas on the schedule, either.
The nation's attention will be on quarterback after record-setting passer Jaxson Dart's career ended but that's not the spot that gives us pause. The roster must reload with a slew of transfers and prep additions. The defensive line is of particular concern, though Suntarine Perkins (10.5 sacks) returns as Walter Nolen and Princely Umanmielen chase their NFL dreams. More on Ole Miss at CBS Sports.com
Based on last season's 12-team playoff field, an SEC team needs to go at least 10-2 to earn a spot in the top 12.
The Rebels have four games on their schedule that I would consider toss-up games — at home against LSU, on the road against Georgia, at home against South Carolina, and at home against Florida. If Ole Miss can go at least 2-2 in those games and take care of business in their other games, they should comfortably make the playoff.
Of course, it's those "other games" that cost the Rebels last season. Matchups against Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Kentucky are far from automatic wins. And the Egg Bowl against Mississippi State always has the potential to get weird and deliver an unexpected outcome.
Ole Miss has a favorable path to the playoff, but it's a long season and nothing is guaranteed for the Rebels in 2025. Kiffin and his team, like everyone else in the SEC, will have to go out and earn it this fall.
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