Ole Miss Has a Familiar 2025 Schedule, But the Path is Different—And That’s a Good Thing for CFP Contention
As the 2025 college football season draws nearer, Ole Miss finds itself with a somewhat familiar schedule, but one with a significant difference that could make all the difference for the Rebels’ College Football Playoff (CFP) aspirations. The upcoming season’s slate features matchups many fans and analysts have come to expect, but there are key changes in the makeup of the team and the way the Rebels will approach their path to the CFP. With a proven head coach in Lane Kiffin and a talented, well-balanced roster, Ole Miss is primed for another run at a CFP berth, and the schedule they’ll face provides both challenges and opportunities to make that goal a reality.
Ole Miss’ 2025 schedule is, in many ways, a mirror image of past seasons, with the typical SEC powerhouse matchups that have come to define the Rebels’ journey through the grueling conference slate. However, what makes this schedule different is how the Rebels are positioned within it, thanks to a combination of returning talent, significant recruiting wins, and a revamped coaching staff that brings a fresh perspective to the table.
The Rebels will face their usual slate of SEC West rivals, including Alabama, LSU, Auburn, and Arkansas. These games are always circled on the calendar and are integral to the Rebels’ goals of competing for an SEC Championship and ultimately earning a place in the CFP. However, the 2025 schedule brings some nuances that could help the Rebels navigate the stormy seas of the SEC and set themselves up for a potential playoff berth.
What is particularly noteworthy for Ole Miss in 2025 is the favorable placement of some of their toughest games. The Rebels’ toughest matchups against perennial powerhouses like Alabama and Georgia come later in the season, allowing the team to build momentum as they head toward the SEC Championship Game and the playoff selection process. With a deep roster and an experienced coaching staff, Ole Miss will be positioned to have its best performance when the pressure is highest.
While the schedule remains tough, the circumstances surrounding Ole Miss’ journey to the College Football Playoff in 2025 are markedly different from previous seasons. Lane Kiffin has had time to further develop his program and build on the momentum from past successes. His aggressive recruiting approach has brought in a host of new talent, and the Rebels have significantly improved their depth across all positions.
One area where this will be immediately noticeable is the quarterback position. With a more experienced quarterback under center, combined with a stable of talented skill players, Ole Miss will be able to put up points against even the toughest defenses. The team’s offense, always a strength under Kiffin, will have a new dynamic to it with more weapons at the skill positions, giving them the versatility to beat opponents in multiple ways.
Additionally, the Rebels’ defensive unit, often a point of focus in recent years, has undergone significant improvement. With new recruits bolstering the defense and Kiffin’s staff developing players like never before, Ole Miss will head into 2025 with a much more well-rounded team. The defense will be tasked with stopping some of the SEC’s best offenses, and its ability to get key stops in big moments will be crucial to the Rebels’ CFP aspirations.
With Kiffin’s offensive mind and a more capable defense, Ole Miss will have the opportunity to not only win games but to dominate them. And this, coupled with their strategic 2025 schedule, puts them in prime position for a CFP bid.
While the entire schedule presents its challenges, certain games stand out as pivotal moments for Ole Miss in their path to the CFP. The game against Alabama, as always, will be a season-defining clash. The Rebels’ ability to compete with the defending national champions and SEC juggernauts will be the first major test of their CFP credentials. With both teams likely to be in playoff contention, this game could have huge ramifications on both Ole Miss’ chances and the overall CFP picture.
The Rebels will also face off against Georgia, another top contender in the SEC, and a team that has been a dominant force in the College Football Playoff era. A win over Georgia, combined with victories in other key SEC games, would solidify Ole Miss as a legitimate playoff contender.
Additionally, their rivalry games against Auburn and Mississippi State always carry extra weight, as the intensity of these matchups can often lead to unpredictable results. Ole Miss will need to keep its composure in these emotional contests and ensure they don’t slip up against opponents with much less to lose.
Ole Miss has long been considered a program with tremendous potential, but the 2025 season will mark a critical juncture in their journey to national prominence. With the experience gained from previous seasons, the Rebels will enter the SEC Championship Game with the goal of capturing their first-ever SEC title under Lane Kiffin. Should they succeed, the Rebels will not only punch their ticket to the College Football Playoff but would also be well-positioned to make a deep run toward a national championship.
However, even if they don’t win the SEC title, Ole Miss could still have a strong case for a CFP berth, depending on how the rest of the season plays out. A 10-2 or 9-3 record with key wins over top-ranked opponents like Alabama, Georgia, and LSU would likely be enough to land the Rebels in one of the four playoff spots, especially if they can show they were competitive in their losses
The 2025 season represents a new opportunity for Lane Kiffin’s Ole Miss Rebels to solidify their place among college football’s elite. With a familiar schedule that presents tough challenges, but with a new, stronger team and a more strategic path forward, Ole Miss is well-positioned to make a run at the College Football Playoff once again. Whether they emerge as SEC champions or simply prove their worth with big-time wins against ranked opponents, the Rebels will be a team to watch in 2025 as they aim to make their CFP dreams a reality.
Ole Miss’ journey may be challenging, but it’s clear that this year’s path to the CFP will be different—and for all the right reasons. With a deeper, more experienced team and a coach with a proven track record, the Rebels have everything they need to contend for a spot in the College Football Playoff and beyond.