10 preseason questions for Lane Kiffin's Ole Miss ahead of 2024 season
For Lane Kiffin and Ole Miss, the 2024 season has something of an "It's now or never" quality. Kiffin has lifted the Rebels to a 10-win season in 2021 and an 11-2 mark last year. But as close as Ole Miss has gotten to national prominence, there's always been a ceiling. With a massive transfer portal class, Kiffin might have Ole Miss ready to climb. Here's 10 questions awaiting the Rebels.
10 Preseason questions for Ole Miss
#1. Are they ready to be the hunted instead of the hunters?
This may be the biggest change for Ole Miss. The Rebels were an underdog four times in 2021 and three times in the 2023 regular season. They'll probably only be an underdog maybe twice in 2024. It's a different dynamic for a building program to suddenly be one of the nation's best.
#2. Can Dart stay healthy?
QB Jaxson Dart is the man with experience and talent. But Dart does like to run and it's fair to wonder whether Ole Miss will need LSU transfer Walker Howard to play behind him. Given the mass of returning talent for Ole Miss, one of the few things that could really throw Ole Miss off would be a QB injury.
#3. How will the RB rotation go?
The Rebels did lose Quinshon Judkins to Ohio State, but still have a stable of capable backs. None of those backs rushed for 1,158 yards and 15 touchdowns like Judkins did last year, though. The top candidate is Ulysse Bentley, who had 540 yards off the bench last year. Transfers Rashod Amos (Miami of Ohio) and Henry Parrish (Miami of Florida) will likely see some time.
#4. Is this the SEC's best wide receiver group?
Take returnees Jordan Watkins (53 catches, 741 yards) and Tre Harris (54 catches, 985 yards). Then add in South Carolina transfer Antwane Wells (928 yards in 2022). There's talented young depth behind them too. It's quite a group.
#5. Are the transfer defensive linemen difference makers?
Among the many highly-anticipated new faces for Ole Miss are Texas A&M transfer Walter Nolen and Florida transfer Prince Umanmielen. At 290 pounds and 255 pounds respectively, they each have the kind of size and speed that is only consistently found in the SEC. Each has game changing skills, and each has sometimes underachieved. Can Lane Kiffin sort them out?
#6. How will the chemistry be with all the transfers?
Along the same lines, on a team full of veterans and veteran transfers, will the chemistry hold? Will there be enough carries, catches and snaps for everyone, or will the Rebels become their own worst enemy.
#7. Can the Rebels win back to back games at LSU and then against Oklahoma?
The opening of Ole Miss's schedule is pretty soft. But in mid-October, they travel to LSU and after a bye week, host Oklahoma on Oct. 26. Those figure to be two of the more competitive matchups in Ole Miss's schedule and could give a good read on the ceiling of the Rebels' season.
#8. Has Ole Miss closed the gap with the top of the SEC (in this case, Georgia)?
The Rebels have started well in each of the last three seasons before they meet a legitimate SEC foe who takes them apart. It was a 42-21 loss to Alabama in 2021, a 45-20 loss to LSU in 2022, and a 52-17 beatdown by Georgia last year. Georgia ran AND passed for 300 yards in that game. Have the Rebels trimmed that gap?
#9. How many wins does Ole Miss need to make the CFP?
In the end, the Ole Miss goal has to be the playoff. A 9-3 record might be enough to get the Rebels a spot, but a 10-2 record would come with considerably more security. Of course, there are a million outside factors, but that's the early guess.
#10. Will they make it?
Again, there's an "if they don't do it now, then when?" question hanging over the season. This is a veteran and talented team that drew a fairly light schedule (no Alabama, no Texas, no Missouri). When Ole Miss starts 6-0, as is very possible, can they build from there? There's plenty of reason to think so.
What are you wondering about the Rebels in 2024? Share your questions and thoughts below in our comments section!