So, you’re looking for the channel or the kickoff time for the Rebels. You’ve probably got the Vaught-Hemingway itch. I get it. But if you’re asking who does Ole Miss play in football this weekend, I have to be the one to break the news: the pads are officially in storage.
The 2025-26 season is over. It was a wild ride. Honestly, it was a historic one.
But as of Saturday, January 17, 2026, the Rebels aren't playing anyone. Their spectacular, somewhat chaotic run through the expanded College Football Playoff came to an end last Thursday, January 8, in Glendale, Arizona. They faced the Miami Hurricanes in the Fiesta Bowl—a semifinal matchup that nobody saw coming back in August. It was a heartbreaker, a 31-27 loss that stopped just short of the National Championship game.
Where the Rebels Stand Right Now
Since the season ended just over a week ago, the "football" happening in Oxford is mostly taking place in the weight room and on the phones of the coaching staff. Pete Golding, who took over the reigns after Lane Kiffin’s much-discussed mid-season departure for LSU, has his hands full.
The focus has shifted entirely to the transfer portal.
While there’s no game to watch this Saturday, the "game" behind the scenes is intense. The Rebels currently have about 22 incoming transfers and 20 players heading out. It's a revolving door. If you’re a die-hard fan, your "game day" this weekend is basically refreshing Twitter (or X, if we’re being formal) to see which 4-star defensive lineman just committed to the Sip.
Why Everyone Is Still Talking About Ole Miss Football
It is kind of rare for a team to lose its head coach right before the playoffs and actually get better. When Kiffin left for Baton Rouge, most people figured the Rebels would fold. Instead, Pete Golding led them to a program-record 13 wins.
They crushed Tulane in the first round. Then came the Sugar Bowl. That rematch against Georgia was legendary. Trinidad Chambliss, who has basically become a folk hero in Oxford, threw for over 360 yards to exact revenge on the Bulldogs with a 39-34 win.
That victory is why people are still searching for game times today. The momentum was so high that it feels like they should still be playing. But with Miami moving on to the title game against Indiana (what a world, right?), the Rebels are officially in "wait until next year" mode.
💡 You might also like: Is Isiah Pacheco Hurt: What Really Happened to the Chiefs Star
Looking Ahead to the 2026 Schedule
Since there isn't an Ole Miss football game this weekend, we might as well look at when the next one actually happens. The 2026 schedule is already out, and it’s a beast because the SEC is moving to a nine-game conference slate.
- Season Opener: Labor Day Weekend (Sept. 5 or 6), 2026.
- Opponent: Louisville Cardinals.
- Location: Nissan Stadium in Nashville.
This is going to be a massive neutral-site game. It’s the first time the Rebels will play nine SEC games in a single season, plus a Power Four non-conference opponent. The home opener follows on September 12 against Charlotte, and then the real drama starts on September 19 when LSU comes to town.
Yes, that means Lane Kiffin returns to Vaught-Hemingway. The atmosphere for that one will be, put simply, radioactive.
🔗 Read more: Jake Dickert: Why Washington State Found the Perfect Fit for the New Era of College Football
What to Watch Instead This Weekend
If you absolutely need your Ole Miss fix today, you’ll have to switch sports. The men’s basketball team is actually in action. They are heading to Starkville for a massive rivalry game against Mississippi State at Humphrey Coliseum. Tip-off is set for 5:30 PM PST (7:30 PM local time).
The women’s team is also playing, facing the Georgia Lady Bulldogs tomorrow, Sunday, at noon EST.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
- Check the Portal: Follow The Rebel Walk or similar trackers to see the latest roster moves. With 20+ players leaving and arriving, the team you saw in the Fiesta Bowl will look very different by spring ball.
- Basketball Saturday: Tune into the SEC Network to watch the Rebels take on the Bulldogs in Starkville. It’s the best way to scratch that competitive itch this weekend.
- Ticket Renewals: Season tickets for the 2026 campaign usually go on sale or enter renewal phases in late January. Keep an eye on your email if you want to be there for the LSU/Kiffin homecoming in September.
The 2025 season was a masterpiece of "what-ifs" and "did-that-really-happens." While the answer to who does Ole Miss play in football this weekend is "nobody," the foundation Pete Golding built over the last month suggests the 2026 season might be even louder.