Ole Miss had a bye week and watched half the football programs win and half the teams lose, but it dropped a spot in the latest College Football Playoff rankings.
The Rebels (10-1, 6-1 SEC) fell from No.
6 to No. 7 with Oregon jumping over Ole Miss after a win against top 25 USC. Currently, Alabama would travel to Oxford for the first round of the playoffs if nothing else changes. Pause here for dry heaving and gnashing of teeth.
It’s becoming very evident the selection committee isn’t overly impressed with the Rebels as it is the lowest ranked one loss team other than BYU. Also, a win on the road against Mississippi State should in every universe mean a home game for the first round of the playoffs for Ole Miss despite the continued chatter about Lane Kiffin’s potential departure.
The pressure of this rivalry game has clearly softened the betting market for the Rebels to make the CFP. Ole Miss is now -500 to make the CFP on FanDuel Sportsbook and +360 to miss the CFP. Compare that to only two weeks ago when Ole Miss sat at -3000 to make the CFP after a win over The Citadel.
I do not think a win in Starkville can be seen as anything but a positive for the Rebels and solidify a berth. Kiffin’s departure we don’t know what is going through the committee’s head on that, but clearly something is brewing as the national media continues to mention it. I think it’s a load of bullshit as I’m sure many of you do as well, it’s unfair to the players and the fans to deny them of a home playoff game, but we’ll cross that proverbial bridge when we get there.
First and foremost, beat the hell out of Mississippi State. The rest will take care of itself.
