Man vs. Computer: ESPN’s FPI and analysts aren’t aligned on Ole Miss football in ‘24
Ole Miss has spent most of the off-season as a darling of college football forecasters for 2024-25.
The Rebels had north of 30 mid-year enrollees, including 17 transfers. Even still, their foundation for 2024-25 is set to come by way of proven, returning veterans. Ole Miss brought back the bulk of its core from a team that won a program-record 11 games last season.
Leading the way is third-year starting quarterback Jaxson Dart. The Rebels have been ranked as high as No. 5 in way-too-early preseason Top 25 polls. The Rebels also signed a Top 3 portal class, headlined by Top 10 transfers Walter Nolen (defensive tackle, Texas A&M) and Princely Umanmielen (EDGE, Florida).
“It’s an old, veteran group that’s played a lot,” fifth-year head coach Lane Kiffin said back in the spring. “I think they’re really unique, culture guys. The whole ‘Last Dance’ thing and guys coming in for their last year and staying for their last year. When you do that, you’re investing a lot.
“I really feel they’re not just here because they just happened to come here. They came here to do something really special.”
Still, ESPN’s computer-based Football Power Index isn’t buying the hype.
It’s projecting a middling 8-4 finish.
Ole Miss will obviously decide its own fate on the field starting in September. Lead analysts for the ‘Worldwide Leader’ are more bullish on the Rebels anyway.
ESPN senior writer Mark Schlabach, for example, ranked Ole Miss No. 6 in his post-spring Top 25. The Rebels trailed only top-ranked Georgia, Ohio State, Texas, Oregon and Notre Dame.
“If they can make it to Atlanta and go to the playoff, it will be THE success story of the portal era,” an anonymous coach was quoted by Athlon Sports as saying of the Rebels, who are now underway with summer strength and conditioning.
“I think it takes a certain kind of personality to manage a portal culture on your roster. Lane Kiffin has it, where someone like a Jimbo Fisher does not.”
Anonymous Coach Comments on Ole Miss from Athlon Sports CFB Magazine:
“Offensively, they’re absolutely stacked. Defensively, they’re better year over year with Pete Golding coming in.
“The real change that NIL and the portal created for them is the front-seven talent.” pic.twitter.com/qXpO7pH5CA
— SEC Mike (@MichaelWBratton) June 2, 2024
Excitement in and around Oxford is palpable, regardless of predictions.
Ole Miss has already sold out of season tickets for the first time since 2016 and seventh time in program history. Last week the Rebels learned kickoff times and TV assignments for their games with Furman, Middle Tennessee, Wake Forest and Mississippi State.
Most notably, the Egg Bowl was moved off Thanksgiving and to Black Friday (November 29). Kickoff is 2:30 p.m. CT on ABC. The in-state rivals have played on Friday just five times in history. The last was 2008.
“The vibe’s been unbelievable, just from the defensive line to the back end (and) how it all plays along,” South Alabama transfer defensive back Yam Banks said. “All the hype about us, I can just see it.”
“Everybody knows, really, that big goal is a national championship,” star wide receiver Tre Harris said, when discussing expectations for the Rebels in 2024. “That’s sitting in the back of everybody’s heads. Everybody is not necessarily feeling the pressure, but more so embracing it. We’ve got the team. We’ve got the pieces. Let’s go out there and execute and become a team like we’re supposed to be.”
The post Man vs. Computer: ESPN’s FPI and analysts aren’t aligned on Ole Miss football in ‘24 appeared first on On3.
