What are the postseason projections for Ole Miss after a perfect run through non-conference play?
The calendar has flipped to Fall and October is right around the corner, meaning No. 6 Ole Miss is finally getting into Southeastern Conference action this weekend with a visiting Kentucky.
September was going to be a arduous first month of the season knowing the Rebels were playing four straight games against lesser-than competition while other SEC teams dipped in and out of conference play or had marquee non-conference matchups.
But now Ole Miss (4-0) can join the party and make some noise in the SEC and start to bolster its College Football Playoff resume. There have not been any major dings for the teams the Rebels have played but the polls did notice what other teams around them have done, leapfrogging Tennessee over them to No. 5 in this week’s Associated Press Top 25 after its win at a Top 15 Oklahoma.
When it comes to the weekly bowl projections, which in September have little bearing but since non-conference schedule is completed it is a good time to see where the Rebels stand heading into eight straight SEC games to conclude the regular season — with two open dates mixed in.
For the most part the College Football Playoff is still the destination for the Rebels by the majority of outlets that make bowl game projections throughout the season.
Jerry Palm of CBS Sports is the lone outlier as he has had the Rebels missing the CFP since before the season started and remained steadfast in his projection despite each passing blowout victory. Palm has Ole Miss playing in the Citrus Bowl, as has been his destination all year, and taking on Illinois in this week’s edition.
Defending national champion Michigan had been in the Big Ten slot for the bowl game in Orlando, but a win over Southern California this weekend moved the Wolverines out and the Fighting Illini in.
Four other outlets have the Rebels in the CFP and hovering around the 7-9 Seed slot. All but one have them advancing to the quarterfinals and playing in a third New Year’s Six game in the last four seasons.
If Ole Miss earns a seeding between No. 5 and 8 it will host an eighth game this season in the first round, but there are bigger goals in the locker room.
Below is the latest postseason projections for Ole Miss from select outlets:
ESPN:
- March Schlabach — No. 9 Penn State at No. 8 Ole Miss (losing to No. 1 Seed Texas in Sugar Bowl)
- Kyle Bonagura — No. 9 Oregon at No. 8 Ole Miss (losing to No. 1 Seed Texas in Sugar Bowl)
Action Network:
- Brett McMurphy — No. 9 Oregon (-1.5) at No. 8 Ole Miss
College Football Network:
- No. 9 Michigan at No. 8 Ole Miss (losing to No. 1 Seed Ohio State in Rose Bowl)
Athlon Sports:
- No. 10 Penn State at No. 7 Ole Miss (losing to No. 2 Seed Ohio State in Rose Bowl)
CBS Sports:
- Jerry Palm — Citrus Bowl vs. Illinois
