Fans React as Ole Miss is Left Out of Strong Portal Star Schedule Release
As the college football offseason heats up, fans and analysts alike eagerly await the release of scheduling updates and the inevitable wave of portal signings. One of the most anticipated events in the offseason calendar is the unveiling of the schedule for the upcoming season, especially when it involves major conference matchups and the influx of transfer portal stars. For Ole Miss fans, however, the release of the 2024 schedule has brought a wave of disappointment and confusion after the Rebels were notably left out of the much-hyped “Portal Star” matchups, a showcase of teams with significant transfer portal additions.
While the schedule features games between top teams and a number of programs with new and exciting portal talent, Ole Miss, which has made significant moves in the transfer portal, was left out of the spotlight. This decision has sparked strong reactions from fans, media, and even players, all of whom were expecting the Rebels to be included in the lineup of high-profile matchups.
Ole Miss has become one of the more active programs in recent years when it comes to the transfer portal. Under head coach Lane Kiffin, the Rebels have built a reputation for attracting high-profile talent from the portal, bolstering their roster with players from all over the country. Kiffin’s aggressive approach to recruitment has helped Ole Miss stay competitive in the SEC, and many believed the team would be well-represented in the “Portal Star” schedule, which highlights matchups featuring teams that have benefited from significant transfer portal acquisitions.
In the lead-up to the 2024 season, Ole Miss added a number of key players from the portal, including standout quarterbacks, wide receivers, and defensive linemen. The team’s additions were seen as an important step toward improving on their 2023 campaign, and fans were excited to see how these new faces would contribute to the Rebels’ push for an SEC title. With expectations high and a roster that seemed primed for success, many believed that Ole Miss would be featured in the “Portal Star” schedule release, which focuses on the teams that have undergone the most significant transformation.
When the “Portal Star” schedule was revealed, Ole Miss fans were left stunned. Despite the program’s recent success in the transfer portal, the Rebels were not featured in the collection of games between programs that had made significant portal additions. This decision raised eyebrows among fans who had followed Ole Miss’ recruitment strategy and expected their team to be one of the headline programs in this marquee grouping.
The “Portal Star” schedule features a series of games between high-profile teams that have been active in the portal, with matchups including teams like Alabama, Georgia, and USC, which are known for their significant portal hauls. Many fans were expecting Ole Miss, with its strong collection of transfer talent, to be included among these programs. The absence of Ole Miss from the schedule, especially given the expectations surrounding their roster, was a major talking point on social media and among analysts.
The reaction from Ole Miss fans was swift and mixed. While some fans took to social media to express their disappointment, others voiced confusion over the snub, questioning how the Rebels could be left out of such a prestigious collection of teams. Some fans expressed frustration over the lack of recognition for the team’s efforts in the portal, while others pointed to Ole Miss’ status as a competitive force in the SEC as a reason why they should have been included in the lineup.
“I’m just baffled,” said one Ole Miss fan on Twitter. “Ole Miss made some huge moves in the portal, and now they’re completely left off the schedule? I thought this was the year we would get the recognition we deserve.”
Others were more optimistic, using the exclusion as motivation for the upcoming season. “I guess they don’t want to give us credit,” said another fan, “but we’ll make sure the rest of the country knows that Ole Miss is back, and we’re ready to take on anyone who doubts us.”
The exclusion of Ole Miss from the “Portal Star” matchups was also discussed heavily by media members and college football analysts. Many questioned whether the decision was a slight toward the program or simply an oversight in what was ultimately a limited selection of games. Analysts noted that while teams like Alabama and Georgia are often favorites in the SEC, Ole Miss had made notable strides in the transfer portal under Lane Kiffin, and it seemed odd that they would be left out of such a prominent list.
“Everyone knows that Lane Kiffin has been a master in the transfer portal, and Ole Miss has one of the more interesting rosters in college football heading into 2024,” said one analyst on ESPN. “For them to be excluded from the ‘Portal Star’ schedule feels like an oversight, especially when you look at their impact players who came in via the portal.”
Others pointed out that the “Portal Star” schedule is not a definitive ranking of the best teams in the country but rather a showcase of teams with the most notable transfer activity. However, with the hype surrounding Ole Miss’ portal moves, many felt the Rebels were deserving of a spotlight game, particularly as they seek to make waves in the SEC and beyond.
Despite the disappointment over their exclusion from the “Portal Star” schedule, Ole Miss is poised to make a strong statement in 2024. With a loaded roster that includes several key transfer portal additions, the Rebels are expected to be a contender in the SEC West. Lane Kiffin, who has made a name for himself as a strategic mastermind, will look to maximize the talent on his roster and prove that Ole Miss is more than just a team that can compete in the SEC—they can thrive and challenge for top rankings.
For Ole Miss fans, the snub may serve as additional motivation. If anything, the exclusion from the “Portal Star” schedule only adds fuel to the fire, and the Rebels will likely use it as a rallying cry to show the nation that they belong on the big stage.
While Ole Miss’ exclusion from the “Portal Star” schedule release was met with disappointment and frustration from fans, the decision doesn’t change the expectations surrounding the team for 2024. With one of the most intriguing rosters in the SEC and a wealth of talent brought in through the transfer portal, the Rebels are primed to make a splash in the upcoming season. Whether they are recognized in the preseason or not, Ole Miss will have plenty of opportunities to prove their worth and show that they can compete with the best in the SEC and beyond.