Stanford Steve shares belief in Ole Miss as CFP contender

Stanford Steve is putting his money on Ole Miss to make the College Football Playoff in 2024. The ESPN commentator and betting analyst joined the Andy Staples On3 podcast, where he explained that quarterback Jaxson Dart is a big reason why.

He revealed that not only is he high on the Rebels as a whole, but he also likes the third-year starter as an early Heisman candidate. Because of what he saw in late-game situations from the quarterback, Stanford Steve believes he is poised to take the next step into superstardom.

“I have huge expectations,” he said. “The one bet I made was Jaxson Dart Heisman. Look at what they did in coming back in games. That’s where Lane was always, I thought, he put a lot of stuff on him with the things he said and the way he goes about himself. But last year you go back and watch the games they came back and won, that’s the impressive stuff.

“Why did they do that? Because of (coach) Lane Kiffin and because of Jaxson Dart. They gave up 49 points to LSU. They were down nine in the fourth quarter. They win that game in regulation. You don’t do that without a special kid at quarterback. I’m a huge believer in Jaxson Dart.”

Dart led Ole Miss to its first 11-win season in program history this past season. He threw for 3,364 yards and 23 touchdowns to only six interceptions while also rushing for 389 yards and eight scores.

His experience and talent should headline the Rebels offense, but he’s far from the only star.

Ole Miss brings back Tre Harris after he finished just shy of 1,000 yards receiving and also adds talented South Carolina transfer Juice Wells. Tight end Caden Prieskorn, who stands 6-foot-6, was a first team preseason All-SEC selection after recording 449 yards and four touchdowns.

Running back Quinshon Judkins transferred out, but Ulysses Bentley brings experience from last season and is ready to step into the lead role. Overall, the Rebels got much better through the transfer portal to bring in the No. 3 class in On3’s Team Rankings.

“I love the depth that Lane has gotten across the board as being the portal king,” Stanford Steve said. “I’m in on Ole Miss this year. I do believe that roster and Lane is smart enough and has got enough experience now to know what to handle.

“We don’t wanna talk about bowl games and how much stock you put into that. Go back and look at the numbers and what they did to Penn State. That defense was, statistically, I think the best and Prieskorn went crazy in that game. How often do you see a tight end go off against the No. 1 defense in the country? So I’m all in on Ole Miss. I put them at the top.”

Ole Miss has steadily gotten better under Kiffin and only appears to be continuing the rise entering the coach’s fifth season. Stanford Steve certainly isn’t the only pundit high on the in the preseason, and we’ll see whether they can live up to those expectations come kickoff later this month.