“I would say I mean just the personalities are a little different than our old coach and coach Golding,” Chambliss said, per On3. “I’d say [Golding is] more of a team guy. We really value his leadership, whatever he says.”

Chambliss’ comments make much noise. He transferred to Ole Miss largely because of Kiffin, but is seemingly still upset at his former head coach’s decision to leave the program when LSU came knocking last season.

Chambliss goes after Kiffin

Moreover, Kiffin publicly backed Chambliss’ case as he fought for an extra year of eligibility in 2026. At the end of the day, Chambliss remains eligible for 2026 after the NCAA’s appeal was denied. Still, their relationship may be past its point of no return.

Now, Chambliss isn’t even calling Kiffin by his name. He simply referred to him as “our old coach.” Sometimes, what isn’t said is bigger and louder than what is. This may be the case.

Kiffin and Chambliss’ story

Kiffin saw potential in Chambliss. The head coach recruited him out of junior college at Ferris State and took him under his wing in Oxford. In just one year together, Chambliss blossomed into a top quarterback who put college football on notice. Last NCAA season, Chambliss threw for 3,937 yards, 22 touchdowns, and only three interceptions.

Moreover, he rushed for 527 yards and eight TDs. Chambliss proved he wasn’t simply a product of Kiffin, as he led the Rebels to the College Football Playoff Semifinals. With Pete Golding calling the shots in 2026, Chambliss hopes to have equal—or greater—success. As the sixth-year QB noted, the team has the utmost trust in its new head coach. Kiffin’s dramatic departure taught Ole Miss a lesson, and the Rebels aim to put it to good use next season.

Ole Miss will host LSU in 2026

If college football does indeed have scriptwriters, they deserve recognition, for they have knocked it out of the park with the LSU–Ole Miss saga. Kiffin fled the scene after his exit from Ole Miss but is now set for a dramatic reunion. In September, the Rebels will host the Tigers at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.

Needless to say, Kiffin won’t fly under the radar in his return to Oxford. In the SEC, every game means more, and this will be no exception. Fans in attendance may set a new decibel record for the loudest “Hotty Toddy” in school history.

“After due consideration, we find that the petition should be denied,” the presiding justice Josiah Coleman stated. “It is, therefore, ordered that the petition is denied. So ordered.”

Following the court’s final ruling, the Rebels will be able to enjoy their star player next season. Will Chambliss be able to reach the National Championship Game with his teammates this time?

The saga between Trinidad Chambliss and the NCAA

The eligibility dispute between Trinidad Chambliss and the NCAA reached its definitive turning point. The conflict began when the NCAA rejected Chambliss’s petition for a medical redshirt related to his 2022 season at Ferris State, claiming he was benched for competitive reasons rather than health issues.

Chambliss successfully challenged this in court, with a judge ruling that the NCAA had acted in “bad faith” by ignoring medical documentation of his condition. Following the Supreme Court’s recent refusal to intervene, Chambliss secured his sixth year of eligibility and solidified his position as a top Heisman Trophy contender.

A new season, now without Lane Kiffin

As the 2026 season kicks off, the Ole Miss Rebels are entering a new era under head coach Pete Golding, who stepped up following Lane Kiffin’s departure for LSU. Despite the coaching change, expectations are higher than ever after a successful 2025 campaign.

With Trinidad Chambliss officially cleared to lead a high-powered offense and a reinforced roster through the transfer portal, the Rebels are determined to prove they can not only maintain their momentum but surpass last year’s achievements and secure a definitive spot in the College Football Playoff hunt.

However, Chambliss and Ole Miss’ legal team are not backing down from a fight as they go to battle with the NCAA for their client’s eligibility in 2026. The fighting spirit was made crystal clear after Tom Mars, an attorney of Chambliss, voiced a blunt comment.

“Everyone remembers when the NCAA famously appealed to the Supreme Court in the Alston case and got their teeth knocked out by Justice Kavanaugh. I expect the NCAA to be spitting chiclets in this appeal as well,” Mars stated, as reported by college football insider Pete Thamel.

The NCAA makes its case

On Feb. 12th, a Mississippi state court judge ruled that the NCAA ignored evidence that granted Chambliss a medical redshirt, and therefore, a sixth year of eligibility to be played out in 2026. However, the governing body in college football has answered right back.

“If courts can intervene in NCAA eligibility decisions to provide special treatment to favored athletes then the NCAA’s ability to ensure fair athletic competition in which all participants play by the same rules will depend upon the whims of trial courts throughout the country,” read one of the 658 pages in the NCAA’s appeal, via Pete Thamel.

Among the many arguments in its 658-page appeal, the NCAA states that granting Trinidad Chambliss an extra year of eligibility based on a state court’s ruling would provoke a “domino effect” that would make the college football landscape virtually ungovernable.

The hearing for Chambliss’ case has stretched on for several hours, with many statements going viral. Among them was a controversial comment from Ole Miss quarterbacks coach Joe Judge, which Kiffin did not let go unnoticed, as he left his former colleague out to dry with only one word and an emoji.

“Joe,” Kiffin simply said, quoting a video from Judge’s statement during Chambliss’ hearing. Kiffin closed out his post with a facepalm emoji. Needless to say, the statement made waves all over college football.

What did Joe Judge say?

Speaking to the jury during the hearing in Chambliss’ lawsuit against the NCAA at Calhoun County Courthouse in Pittsboro, Mississippi, Judge dropped a controversial message on fatherhood for young players.

“That father has to play good football. He needs to be in another room, detached,” Judge said, causing a loud outcry on social media. “He ain’t waking up for midnight feedings.”

Why does Chambliss ask for another year of eligibility?

While Chambliss is requesting an injunction to play in his sixth year of college football, he and his lawyers state it would be only his fourth season. According to Chambliss and his legal team, he was affected by illness and respiratory issues during the 2022 season with Division II Ferris State.

Chambliss transferred to Ole Miss ahead of the 2025 NCAA campaign, when he led Kiffin’s—and then his former team’s—Rebels to the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the VRBO Fiesta Bowl.

“I’m asking what the NCAA has in their rule book. All athletes get four years of eligibility,” Chambliss told the jury during the hearing. If Chambliss is indeed back for the 2026 NCAA season, Ole Miss would be right back in contention for the national title. If not, the Rebels might be in trouble.

Coach Dabo Swinney spoke with David Hale of ESPN.com and accused new Ole Miss coach, Pete Golding, of tampering with Luke Ferrelli, linebacker. Swinney claimed Golding, who is Lane Kiffin’s replacement, had repeated contacts with Ferrelli after the player signed an NIL contract and enrolled in classes at Clemson.

“This is a whole other level of tampering,” Swinney said. “It’s total hypocrisy… This is a really sad state of affairs. We have a broken system, and if there are no consequences for tampering, then we have no rules and we have no governance.” Safe to say Swinney didn’t hold back when speaking about Golding trying to sway Ferrelli’s future.

Swinney also delivered another message to Golding

“I’m not trying to get anybody fired, but when is enough enough?” Swinney explained. “If we have rules, and tampering is a rule, then there should be a consequence for that. And shame on the adults if we’re not going to hold each other accountable.” After all, if a player has signed to play for a school and another program comes and induces the player to breach it, this could come at the cost of civil liability for tortious interference.

Ole Miss said they did it because the same has been done to them. The fact is that tampering is becoming a big issue now that NIL is in place, and that is a problem the NCAA must solve sooner rather than later.

Clemson has more NIL money than Ole Miss

It’s been reported that Clemson has around $15 million in NIL money this season. Ole Miss has around $10 million. While both are considered aggressive in the NIL space, Ole Miss trying to poach a player from Clemson is opportunistic. In the end, Clemson has more money, but that doesn’t mean they could just improve the offer on the table.

After all, Clemson might have its money allocated elsewhere or have other plans in store. Also, unpunished tampering could be use in that way. Make programs overpay to retain talent to minimize their chances of making more moves. Swinney was pretty aggressive in his accusation, but he does have a point. If these conducts aren’t punished, it’s a bad look for all parties involved.

In order to gain, one must also give. The Tigers are no exception to that rule, and Kiffin has now learned that a four-star recruit is on the move after going largely unutilized in 2025. Where to? He’ll be joining none other than Kiffin’s former team, the Rebels.

As reported by college football insider Pete Nakos, LSU transfer running back JT Lindsey has now signed with Ole Miss ahead of the 2026 NCAA season. In a winter where fans saw plenty of Rebels transfer to Baton Rouge, Lindsey’s transfer comes as a pleasant sight for the faithful fanbase in Oxford.

Leavitt is LSU-bound

Kiffin and LSU continue to bolster their lineup ahead of the 2026 college football season. With the program boasting a lineup capable of striking fear into every SEC opponent, the arrival of Leavitt in Baton Rouge only adds another layer to one of the top offenses for the upcoming campaign.

Leavitt’s transfer wasn’t confirmed without its fair share of drama. An SEC program—not named Ole Miss—prepared an offer to poach Leavitt away from Kiffin’s LSU. At the end of the day, though, the Tigers have reportedly got their starting quarterback for the 2026—and possibly 2027—season.

Lindsey moves on from LSU

The four-star recruit out of Alexandria High School in Louisiana has decided to skip his hometown and head northeast to Mississippi. After all, they say no one is a messiah on their home soil, and Lindsey is looking to prove that to his former school as he enrolls at the University of Mississippi.

Lindsey never saw the field during his freshman year in college football. Now, he will join Ole Miss’ running backs room which will be led by Kewan Lacy. The standout half-back chose to stay in Oxford rather than join Kiffin in Baton Rouge.

With Lacy most likely spending his last season of college football in 2026 before declaring for the NFL Draft, it’s safe to say Lindsey is up for a big climb in order to become the main guy in Ole Miss’ backfield. However, coming in with a chip on his shoulder, the Louisiana native will vie to send a message.

Although all signs indicate Trinidad Chambliss made his final NCAA appearance during the VRBO Fiesta Bowl loss to the Miami Hurricanes in the College Football Playoffs semifinal, Ole Miss is staying away from the market for Leavitt. Instead, the Tennessee Volunteers are looking to rain down on Kiffin and LSU’s parade.

“Tennessee and Sam Leavitt’s camp have been in regular contact throughout Monday, and the Volunteers were never told he was going to LSU,” as reported by On3 and insider Pete Nakos. “The Vols are compiling one final offer.”

Tennessee puts LSU on notice

Just when everyone around college football believed Kiffin had found the perfect match for the vacant QB1 job in Baton Rouge, the Volunteers are hoping to spoil the party.

According to the information provided, Tennessee is not giving up on its pursuit of the former Sun Devils star. On the contrary, the Vols are mounting an all-out effort that could deliver the biggest plot twist of the NCAA offseason—and hand Kiffin his first major loss since becoming the Tigers’ new head coach in Louisiana.

More drama for Kiffin and the Tigers

Some might say that what starts badly ends badly. In LSU’s case, what gets off to a dramatic start is almost guaranteed to be filled with drama through and through.

Kiffin’s arrival in Baton Rouge has been anything but ordinary—even by college football standards. In a sport that has seen all kinds of chaos unfold in otherwise laid-back towns, Kiffin’s cinematic exit from Oxford to Baton Rouge made enough noise to echo for ages.

The 2026 NCAA season is still a long ways ahead—after all, the 2025 campaign has yet to declare its national champion, but Kiffin and the Ole Miss-looking like LSU football program is already grabbing headlines left to right across the nation.

[Watch Miami vs Ole Miss online in the US on Fubo]

A spot in the national championship game is on the line as No. 10 Miami (Fla.) and No. 6 Ole Miss meet in a College Football Playoff semifinal at the Fiesta Bowl. The Hurricanes are fresh off a stunning 24-14 win over defending champ Ohio State.

Meanwhile, the Rebels advanced by edging No. 3 Georgia 39-34, setting up a rare postseason meeting between two teams riding long winning streaks. With history, momentum, and a title berth at stake, this is one game college football fans won’t want to miss.

When will the Miami vs Ole Miss match be played?

Miami will play against Ole Miss in the CFP Semifinals Fiesta Bowl this Thursday, January 8, with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 PM (ET).

Miami vs Ole Miss: Time by State in the USA

ET: 7:30 PM
CT: 6:30 PM
MT: 5:30 PM
PT: 4:30 PM

How to watch Miami vs Ole Miss in the USA

Don’t miss the 2026 college football showdown between Miami and Ole Miss streaming live on Fubo. You can also catch the action on ESPN.

Mario Cristobal guided his Hurricanes to a 12–2 overall record and into the semifinals following a thrilling quarterfinal matchup. There, Miami delivered a decisive 24–14 victory over the Ohio State Buckeyes on December 31, knocking out the defending champions.

On the other side, the Rebels didn’t let the entire saga surrounding former head coach Lane Kiffin distract them, and they made a strong statement in the bracket. To reach this stage, Ole Miss pulled off a dramatic 39–34 win over Georgia in what has been one of the most thrilling games of this CFP.

What happens if Miami defeats Ole Miss in the 2026 Fiesta Bowl today?

If Miami defeats Ole Miss in the Fiesta Bowl, the Hurricanes will officially punch their ticket to the 2026 National Championship Game, marking their first appearance on the sport’s biggest stage since 2002. Their opponent would be Indiana or Oregon, who face off in the Peach Bowl on Friday.

This historic win would validate Mario Cristobal’s vision for the program, proving that “The U” is back as a dominant force and setting the stage for a winner-take-all showdown for the title.

What happens if Miami and Ole Miss tie today?

If Miami and Ole Miss remain tied at the end of regulation, the game enters a do-or-die overtime period where each team gets one possession on offense and one on defense. The team that scores the most points wins the game. If the game is still tied after an overtime period, there will be another overtime period. In the event of a second overtime period, teams will have to run a 2-point conversion play after a touchdown. If a third overtime is required, teams will run alternating 2-point plays, instead of starting another drive at the opponent’s 25-yard line.

What happens if Miami loses to Ole Miss?

If Miami loses to Ole Miss in the Fiesta Bowl, its historic underdog run comes to a heartbreaking end just one step short of the title game. A loss would eliminate the Hurricanes from the College Football Playoff, officially ending their season and shifting the focus toward a top-ten finish in the final rankings and the momentum of Mario Cristobal’s best season yet in Coral Gables. In this case, it would be the Rebels who reach the Natty to take on the Hoosiers or Ducks at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.

When and where will Miami and Ole Miss play?

The Miami Hurricanes and the Ole Miss Rebels will face off in the Fiesta Bowl on Thursday, January 8, 2026. The game will be played at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET (5:30 p.m. local time)

If Georgia defeats Ole Miss in the Sugar Bowl, the Bulldogs would advance to the CFP semifinals, where they would face Miami (FL) in what could be an electrifying matchup for a program that came up short last season and was eliminated in the quarterfinals.

However, if Georgia loses to Ole Miss, that would officially mark the end of the road for the Bulldogs, who would suffer the same fate as last season. That is an outcome Georgia wants to avoid, especially against Ole Miss, which enters the game as the No. 3-ranked team in the CFP.

Georgia vs. Ole Miss: Last five meetings

Ahead of the 2025 Sugar Bowl, Georgia defeated Ole Miss 43-35 in October of this year. In 2024, the Bulldogs lost to the Rebels 28-10. Prior to that, Georgia went 2-1 in the previous three meetings, giving the Bulldogs a 3-2 record over the last five games between the two programs.

Overall, Georgia has won 34 games against Ole Miss, while the Rebels have claimed just 13 victories, according to Winsipedia. There has been only one tie in the series, dating back to 1941, which was just the second meeting between the two teams.

Georgia owns an all-time bowl record of 38-22-3 and has long been one of the most successful programs in postseason play. In the CFP, the Bulldogs are 5-1. While they lost last year to Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl, they had previously put together a seven-bowl winning streak from 2020 through 2023.

[Watch Ole Miss vs Georgia online in the US on Fubo]

No. 3 Georgia returns to the Sugar Bowl on Thursday night to meet No. 6 Ole Miss in a College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the Superdome. The Bulldogs are more seasoned than a year ago, led by the emergence of quarterback Gunner Stockton and a defense that has held four straight opponents to 10 points or fewer.

Ole Miss, making its CFP debut under new head coach Pete Golding, looks to flip the script after an October loss and enters with momentum following a dominant win over Tulane. With Georgia chasing redemption and the Rebels seeking validation, this matchup shapes up as a must-watch postseason clash.

When will the Ole Miss vs Georgia match be played?

Ole Miss play against Georgia in the 2026 Sugar Bowl Game this Thursday, January 1, with kickoff scheduled for 8:00 PM (ET).

Ole Miss vs Georgia: Time by State in the USA

ET: 8:00 PM
CT: 7:00 PM
MT: 6:00 PM
PT: 5:00 PM

How to watch Ole Miss vs Georgia in the USA

Don’t miss the 2025 college football showdown between Ole Miss and Georgia streaming live on Fubo. You can also catch the action on ESPN.