OXFORD, Mississippi — Amidst the ongoing 2023-24 college basketball season and the imminent arrival of college baseball, it’s never too soon to contemplate the pivotal clashes set to define the upcoming college football season. 247Sports unveiled its list of the 24 most significant games for the 2024 season on Wednesday, with two of the Ole Miss Rebels’ SEC matchups securing spots in the Top 10. The showdown between Ole Miss and the LSU Tigers on October 12 claimed the eighth position, while the Rebels’ home rematch against the Georgia Bulldogs was ranked seventh.
In the 2024 season, LSU marks the third SEC challenge for Ole Miss, and both teams eagerly anticipate their matchup following the No. 20 Rebels’ thrilling upset against the No. 13 Tigers in a high-scoring 55-49 encounter. Navigating Death Valley, renowned as one of the most formidable road environments in college football, will undoubtedly pose a significant challenge for Ole Miss. 247Sports notes, “If Ole Miss can secure a second consecutive victory over LSU, a 7-0 start seems probable, setting the stage for playoff discussions as the open week approaches.” Brian Kelly’s third season sees LSU facing Ole Miss as one of four nationally-ranked opponents. It’s highlighted that even the loser of this game still maintains a chance to enter the playoff picture with an at-large berth.
Concerning the home rematch against the Georgia Bulldogs, 247Sports emphasizes the significance of the clash, especially if Georgia remains undefeated by the time they face Ole Miss. A victory in this scenario would further solidify Georgia’s impressive resume, having already triumphed over three top 20 opponents. Beating either the Bulldogs or securing a win in Baton Rouge holds the promise of ensuring the Rebels a prestigious finish in the competitive SEC, barring any unforeseen setbacks along the way.
Securing victories against either or both of these formidable opponents would significantly enhance Ole Miss’s chances of earning a spot in the expanded 12-team playoff. This optimistic outlook holds true, assuming the Rebels avoid a major setback in the remaining games against presumably weaker opponents on their schedule.
