“Football at Ole Miss” by pmsyyz is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.

As the 2024 college football season approaches, the expectations are high for the Ole Miss Rebels and head coach Lane Kiffin. The Rebels are coming off an 11-2 record and Peach Bowl victory last season, and many are wondering if it’s College Football Playoff or bust for Kiffin and his team.

The Rebels have a talented roster, led by quarterback Jaxson Dart and wide receiver Tre Harris. They also have a favorable schedule, avoiding Alabama in the regular season with some of their tougher opponents being Georgia, LSU, and Oklahoma. Kiffin has accounted for the Rebels to best regular seasons in program history over the last three seasons.

However, the pressure is on for Kiffin and the Rebels. They are expected to be a contender for the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff, and anything less than a playoff appearance would be considered a disappointment. Kiffin has done a great job of building the Ole Miss program, but the next step is to take the team to the next level and compete for a national championship. If the Rebels fall short of the playoff, it could be seen as a failure for Kiffin and his staff.

On the other hand, if the Rebels do make the playoff, it would be a huge accomplishment for the program and would solidify Kiffin’s status as one of the top coaches in college football. The 2024 season will be a crucial one for Kiffin and Ole Miss. The expectations are high, and it’s up to them to deliver.