NO. 24 LOUISVILLE CARDINALS (0-0) vs. NO. 9 OLE MISS REBELS (0-0)
Game Time: 7:30 p.m.
Location: Nissan Stadium: Nashville, Tenn.
Television:
ABCAnnouncers: Sean McDonough (play-by-play), Greg McElroy (analyst) and Katie George (sideline)
Favorite: Ole Miss by 6.5
All-Time Series: Ole Miss leads, 1-0
Only Meeting: Ole Miss won 43-24 on Sept. 6, 2021 in Atlanta
Statistics:
Depth Chart:
Not released as of post time.
Louisville Uniforms:
Ole Miss Uniforms:
Relevant Videos:
About Ole Miss:
via Keith Wynne
OFFENSE
Louisville starts the 2026 season with a game against a team that was
a snap or two away from the national championship last season. It won’t be the first time this program has started off the year with a big-time opponent, but Ole Miss is a squad that the Cards match up well with. The Rebels navigated a ridiculous head coaching change about as well as possible, and they enter the year with a stabilized program and some of their top players returning. John David Baker is a holdover coach who will take over as the offensive coordinator after assuming the role for the College Football Playoffs last season.
The Rebels returned one of the most important players in the country, Trinidad Chambliss at quarterback. The senior enters the year as a Heisman candidate after finishing last year with 30 total touchdowns and nearly 4,000 yards passing. Chambliss is a true dual-threat quarterback who would much rather stand in the pocket and deliver a strike than take off running. However, this offense is built off of his ability to get yards on the ground.
Chambliss is a constant threat as a runner, so the Rebels utilize him on option runs as well as bootlegs and other movement throws. He is also a great scrambler who can extend plays as a passer. But that’s not the extent of his game or the scheme. That threat opens up a ton of passing lanes for Chambliss. He is outstanding at delivering short throws for first downs to move his offense down the field. The efficiency of this passing game is outstanding.
The other aspect of Chambliss’ game that shows up a lot is his ability to put the ball on the money with downfield throws. Again, the threat of him as a runner loosens up defenses, and they take a lot of opportunities to throw the ball deep when teams are focused on him running. The Rebels will look to take advantage if UofL comes out with an aggressive approach.
The Rebels return the best backfield in the country, with Kewan Lacy returning to build on an excellent 2025 season. Lacy averaged 114 yards per game last year and ran for 24 touchdowns. He also averaged 6.5 yards per carry in the playoffs. Lacy is a big back with plenty of speed to break a big run. At 5-11/205, he runs very hard and punishes tacklers well when finishing runs, while being solid when it comes to making cuts and avoiding tacklers.
Lacy does most of his damage between the tackles, where his ability to run through contact really stands out. He is not the type of back to be taken down by an arm tackle or even a guy who just isn’t squared up on him. He gets downhill very quickly, and he can run past a defense if guys don’t take a proper angle on him. Lacy is the complete package as a back, so the Cards will have to contain him, especially with the fact that Chambliss can kill them with the option as well.
The only real question mark for this offense is the wide receiver position, where they lost three of their top four players from last year. Deuce Alexander does return to lead the group for his second year with the program. Alexander will take on an expanded role after being a consistent deep threat in 2025. Alexander is unbelievable at tracking and adjusting to the ball in the air. I would expect him to be utilized on more short throws where he can run after the catch this year.
The Rebels revamped their receiver room outside of Alexander, with Cayden Lee moving on to Missouri. The staff went out and landed Johntay Cook and Darrell Gill from Syracuse. Cards fans will remember Cook from his heavy recruitment in Scott Satterfield’s last year. He is a super-quick slot option who has enough size to play on the outside as well. Cook’s biggest issue seems to be keeping things straight off the field. This is his fourth school in college, as he has seemingly worn out his welcome elsewhere. Gill is a potential wildcard as he has flashed outstanding ability in a bad offense.
Horatio Fields is another veteran player who will be moving into a bigger role with the Rebels. he only played in 4 games last year after breaking his foot, but the Rebels will expect him to be a big factor this year after being a very reliable option at Wake Forest in 2024. Fields is a big outside receiver who will test the defense downfield and on intermediate third downs because he can use his size to win balls.
While the veterans have more game experience, one could make an argument that the most talented receiver on the roster is Caleb Cunningham, who enters his second year with the program. The former 5-star battled an injury through the 2025 season but is reported to be fully healthy now. The 6-1/215 outside receiver is set to take a step forward this year as he has a full year working with Chambliss.
Tight end is a solid position for Ole Miss, with Caleb Odom and Luke Hasz returning to take on an increased role. Odom is an athletic player who can stretch the field with his good speed while also being big enough to win contested passes against tight coverage. Ole Miss spread the ball around better than just about any team in the country last year. It will be something to watch to see if the new offense does the same this year.
Hasz didn’t have much of an impact outside of a touchdown catch in the playoff win over Georgia last year, but he was a key player for Arkansas before coming to the Rebels. Hasz had 44 catches and 7 touchdowns for the Hogs in 17 games before he hit the portal. Both of these tight ends can cause the Cards issues if they’re allowed to find space in the middle of the field.
The Rebels return three starters on the offensive line at center and both guard spots. With the running game being so good between the tackles, it is a huge boon for this offense. This line is massive, with each player being well over 300 pounds and the interior of the line having great length as well. This will be the key matchup in the game, in my opinion, with the Cards’ defense having some questions at defensive tackle.
The Rebels will be breaking in two new tackles this weekend after losing their starters to graduation. Tommie Kinsler is a transfer from Miami at 6-6/335 who played in 19 games for the Canes. Terez Scott was the backup at left tackle last year, so the expectation is that he will slide up the depth chart this year. If the interior battle is the key to the game, this matchup with the Louisville edge players is right behind it.
DEFENSE
Louisville will face off against its former defensive coordinator Bryan Brown this Sunday for the first time since he left his post to follow Scott Satterfield to Cincinnati. Brown pairs with Ole Miss head coach Pete Golding to lead the defense, though Golding calls the plays. The Rebels are coming off a season where they finished as a top-40 defense per PFF’s metrics as well as in yards per play. The Rebels’ defense had to replace a lot of players, but they have a few players who are among the best in the SEC.
The core of this defense starts up front with William Echoles at defensive tackle. The 6-3/315 junior was a jack-of-all-trades for the defensive front last year. Echoles had a strong season as a pass rusher while also being one of the top run defenders in the country per PFF. Echoles finished third among defensive tackles in the country in pressures while ranking 12th as a run defender at his position. Another offseason to hone his skills and develop his game will only help him be a major factor in this game.
Jamarious Brown will likely get the most snaps at the other tackle spot after being a rotational backup last season. Brown plays with the same type of short-area quickness that Echoles plays with, and he can get to the ball carrier in a flash as a run defender. Both tackles play down the line very well, which is important against faster backs like Isaac Brown. Jamariuos Brown made a handful of plays last year where his ability to chase the play forced backs to get wider than they would have liked, which led to a linebacker making a play at the line. These guys can disrupt plays well, but they also have plenty of ability to make tackles behind the line.
The Rebels have two massive players to man the nose tackle position in Jahiem Otis and Michai Boireau. Otis is a former Alabama and Colorado player who goes 6-5/335, and Boireau comes in from Florida at 6+5/340. Both players have plenty of experience, and they will play a role eating up blockers and freeing up their linebackers to make plays. I would expect them to play on the early downs before coming off the field in passing situations.
The best player on this defense will line up in a hybrid edge/linebacker role. Suntarine Perkins returned to the Rebels this year, even though he is a legit NFL prospect. The senior does it all for this Rebels defense as a pass rusher as well as a guy who can cover in the short flats and other zone assignments. Perkins finished last season with 81 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles. He’s an extremely productive player who can make impact plays in different ways. The Cards will have to have a plan for him.
Kam Franklin is no slouch on the other side of the defense at defensive end. Franklin is a 6-5/300 junior defensive end coming off a season where he had 9 tackles for loss and 5 sacks. Franklin is key to this defense being able to stop the run. His size and his ability to chase plays down the line stand out when you watch him on film. The test for the Louisville offensive line will be generating push against this big defensive front.
Look for two transfers to provide depth on the edges for the Rebels. Jonathan Maldanado and Blake Purchase will give Golding and Brown a couple of veteran options to spell the starters. Purchase comes over from Oregon, while Maldanado was a very productive starter for Nevada last year.
One of the biggest stories around the transfer portal this year involved Ole Miss. Luke Ferrelli left Cal for Clemson before heading down south to join the Rebels after he had already joined Clemson’s team and started classes. Dabo Swinney, rightfully, called this out in the media, but what was done was done. Ferrelli brings his 91 tackles and 5 tackles for loss to a defense that should allow him to flourish. Ferrelli will have to deal with fewer blockers while also being able to continue playing downhill against the run.
Keaton Thomas is another incoming transfer who will take on a starting role for the Rebels. Thomas was a star at Baylor with over 100 tackles in both of the last two seasons, along with 14 total tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. He can do just about everything on the field, including blitzing from different areas of the defense as well as playing in coverage outside the hashes and down the field. Like Ferrelli, he should benefit from playing behind this massive defensive line.
The secondary as a whole only returns one starter and a few contributors from last year, but the staff went out and mined the portal for help. Antonio Kite returns at one cornerback spot after a very good junior season. Kite is a big corner who can also play inside in the slot. He only gave up 2 touchdowns last year in over 400 snaps in coverage.
Jalyn Crawford is the best bet to start on the opposite side of Kite after two solid years as a backup at Auburn. Crawford put up 11 PBUs over his first two seasons, which is more than some players have in their entire careers. He or Jaylon Braxton will likely get the lion’s share of snaps at corner, and both would be taking on a larger role this season. Braxton has a year in the system, and he has also put up good numbers over his first three years. He had a pick and 3 PBUs last season after putting up 8 PBUs as a freshman at Arkansas.
Safety is a completely revamped position for the Rebels, with all but one contributor gone from the program. Joenel Aguero is a guy who will more than likely be a leader in the back end after being a full-time starter at Georgia last season. Aguero wanted to move to safety, which led to him picking the Rebels for his last year, but his time at nickel at Georgia should help the defense be more flexible, as he will be comfortable in man coverage.
The staff went out and landed two other starters from the portal, and they both spent most of their time at nickel as well. Edwin Joseph is coming in from Florida State, while Sharif Denson spent the last three years at Florida. Both players should be on the field plenty on Sunday, with Denson likely to be at that nickel spot.
What will be interesting with these safeties is if we see them rotate through the three spots. All of these guys are very experienced, and they have all played deep safety, nickel, and they have played in the box. Louisville likes to use motion to identify coverages and to gain leverage as defenses adjust to the motion. The Rebels could look to pass off the motion to whichever safety is in position. If Denson is closer to the line guarding the slot, he could simply back off to safety, and Joseph could come down on the other side to take the slot. I’m not sure if that’s the plan, but it’s an option that most defenses don’t have.
Motivational Tweets:
Excitement Level: 9.5
I mean, come on.
I think this is the best team we’ve had in four years with Jeff Brohm at the helm, and I know that this would be the most significant week one win in the history of Louisville football. Can’t ask for much more.
Game Attire: Red Rage tee
This has been the attire for the last two season openers, and those performances have given me no reason to break tradition.
Pregame Meal: Salsaritas taco bar
We got wayyy too much food for Virginia’s birthday party on Saturday and will now be eating nothing but Salsaritas for at least the next 48 hours.
Bold Prediction: Louisville rushes for over 250 yards as a team
We have also hit our bold prediction in each of the last two season-openers. Three in a row in this situation would be nice.
Jeff Brohm Tick Play Alert Level: Red (solid)
We haven’t seen many September trick plays out of Jeff Brohm, but we also haven’t played many September games like this one.
Predicted Star of the Game: Isaac Brown
It’s time. When this guy is fully healthy and fully motivated, there is no better running back in college football. I believe he is the most naturally talented ball carrier this program has ever seen, it’s time for him to showcase that on a consistent level. Lighting up a team that was a play away from playing for a national title last season would be a large step in that direction.
Notable:
—Louisville is 59-42-6 all-time in season openers. The Cards are looking to win four consecutive openers for the first time since a four-game streak from 2011-14.
—Ole Miss is 97-29-5 (.760) all-time in season openers and has won 24 of their last 29 week one contests.
—Louisville is 4-0 all-time in games played at Nissan Stadium.
—Ole Miss is 2-1 in games played at Nissan Stadium.
—Louisville is 7-3 all-time in Sunday games. The Cards are 6-2 in season-opening games played on Sunday.
—Louisville holds a 22-66-1 all-time record versus AP Top 25 teams. Ole Miss enters Sunday night’s game ranked No. 9 in the current AP Top 25 poll.
—Louisville is 4-4 against ranked opponents under head coach Jeff Brohm, and 2-2 against teams ranked in the top 10.
—U of L has defeated a team ranked in the top 11 of the AP poll in each of Jeff Brohm’s first three seasons with the program.
—Ole Miss is 75-18 (.806) vs. non-conference opponents since 1994. The Rebels are also 121-41-6 (.740) all-time versus non-conference opponents during the month of September.
—Under Jeff Brohm, Louisville is 10-1 in games played in the month of September. Their lone loss came at Notre Dame in 2024.
—Louisville is 3-4 all-time in games played on Sept. 6. U of L’s last appearance on this date was a 43-24 loss to Ole Miss in Atlanta to begin the 2021 season.
—This will be Pete Golding’s first regular season game as head coach at Ole Miss. Golding is 2-1 as a head coach and helped lead the Rebels to the CFP semifinals last season.
—Ole Miss has now cracked the national top-10 in each of the previous six seasons, the longest such streak since 1959-64.
—Louisville is 88-37 all-time when playing as a team ranked in the AP Top 25. The Cards are 9-9 in such games under head coach Jeff Brohm.
—This is the 167th week in program history that Louisville has been ranked in the AP poll.
—Louisville is 10-16 all-time in games where both teams are ranked in the top 25.
—Louisville is 9-29-1 all-time against Top 10 opponents, but 2-2 under Jeff Brohm, including a 24-21 win at No. 2 Miami last year.
—For the first time in program history, Louisville will be playing its fourth straight season opener on Sunday with a quarterback making his first Cardinal start.
—Louisville defensive back T.J. Banks spent the 2024 and 2025 seasons at Ole Miss before transferring to UofL. Banks was a four-star recruit when he signed with the Rebels and played in 23 games in two years in Oxford.
—Ole Miss defensive coordinator Bryan Brown served four seasons in the same capacity at U of L from 2019-22. Brown was Louisville’s defensive coordinator in its 43-24 loss to the Rebels in 2021.
—Ole Miss Assistant Pass Game Coordinator Patrick Carter played wide receiver for the Cards in 2006 and 2007. He threw for Louisville’s first touchdown in its 2007 Orange Bowl win over Wake Forest.
—Louisville is one of just five FBS programs scheduled to play 11 power conference opponents in 2026.
—Louisville is beginning a season nationally ranked for the first time since 2017.
—Louisville is 154-107-6 all-time in games played in the month of September.
—Ole Miss’ 34 wins since 2023 are the fifth most in the FBS over that span.
—Louisville is one of only seven power conference programs to win at least nine games in each of the last three years.
—Jeff Brohm is 8-4 as a head coach in season-opening games, and 3-0 at Louisville.
—Louisville is 5-5 all-time in neutral site games where both teams are ranked.
—Louisville running back Isaac Brown led the nation in yards per carry last season at 8.8. Backfield mate KeyJuan Brown was third in the same category at 7.3 ypc.
—Louisville is 11-17 all-time in games on the ABC Network. Their most recent appearance on the network was a 2024 loss to Miami.
—Louisville is 0-6 all-time in season-opening games against AP top 25 opponents.
—Louisville head coach Jeff Brohm is 37-15 against the spread in his career when his team is an underdog
—Jeff Brohm since 2018 at Purdue/Louisville as a 7+ point underdog has gone 11-4 ATS (73.3%) covering by 7.5 ppg. He’s won six of his last nine outright and has gone 8-1 ATS as a dog between 7-14 points, with seven outright upsets.
—Ole Miss has won five consecutive season-openers and has scored 40 or more points in its last three season-openers.
—Louisville has won 50 consecutive games when shutting out its opponent in the second half.
—Under Jeff Brohm, Louisville is 14-1 in games in which it rushes for 200 yards or more.
—Louisville is one of eight FBS teams to score in every game it has played for the last 26 years, joining Boise State, Florida, Georgia, Nebraska, Southern California, Texas Christian, and Virginia Tech.
—Louisville is 13-0 under head coach Jeff Brohm when it doesn’t commit a turnover.
—Louisville is 17-0 under Jeff Brohm when it wins the turnover battle and 11-12 when it doesn’t.
—Louisville has an 18-game winning streak when committing fewer turnovers than its opponent, last losing 31-16 at Clemson on Nov. 12, 2022.
—Louisville is 25-2 over the past five seasons when shutting out its opponent in the first quarter.
—Louisville has won 39 of its last 44 games when holding teams to less than 300 yards of offense.
—Louisville has won 18 straight games when holding its opponent scoreless in the first half.
—Since 2019, Louisville is 36-4 when winning the turnover battle, and just 8-27 when losing it.
—Louisville is 25-3 under Jeff Brohm when allowing fewer than 30 points.
—Louisville is 210-16 all-time when scoring 35 or more points in a game.
—Louisville is 142-4 all-time when scoring 40 or more points in a game, including an 83-3 mark since 2000. The Cards are 6-123 all-time when allowing opponents to score 40 or more points.
—Louisville is currently riding a consecutive game scoring streak that spans 327 games dating back to a 31-0 loss to Florida State during the 2000 season. The streak ranks as the second longest in the ACC behind only Virginia Tech, and the 8th-longest nationally.
Quotable:
—”We’ve put in a lot of hard work. I know all the teams have, so it’s just going to be, in my opinion, a great opportunity for us to go down in a great venue, play a tremendous opponent on national TV and showcase what we’re all about.” —Jeff Brohm
—“They look like an SEC football team. To me, this is the same as an SEC game.” —Ole Miss head coach Pete Golding
—“They do some unconventional things. But as long as we stay disciplined as a defense, we should be good.” —Ole Miss safety Sharif Denson
—“It’s a Top 25 team at a neutral site. If you’re not on your best game, you’re going to get beat, as you should. I think it’s definitely a different feel than opening up with a I-AA or a mid-major.” —Ole Miss head coach Pete Golding
—”You already kind of went through everything and already been in those same shoes. We just got to go out there and handle business.” —Ole Miss safety Sharif Denson
—”Definitely excited to play someone other than Ole Miss football and seeing PG’s defense. It’s been a long offseason and we’re ready to go.” —Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss
—“It very much feels like a playoff, bowl-game feel to it, as far as the caliber of the team, the quality of the coach and where it’s located.” —Ole Miss head coach Pete Golding
—“It’s just one of those games that you dream about playing in. You hope that you come ready to go and you put your best foot forward. It’ll be a lot of fun.” —Jeff Brohm
Card Chronicle Prediction: Ole Miss 34, Louisville 24
