The Ole Miss Rebels are headed to the College Football Playoff after capping off an impressive 11-1 season in a crowded SEC.
As the Rebels get set for a rematch against Tulane in the playoff, the program underwent significant upheaval when head coach Lane Kiffin bolted for the LSU Tigers. After flirting with the Rebels, Tigers and Florida Gators for weeks, Kiffin ultimately accepted an offer from LSU that makes him one of the highest-paid coaches in college football.
While Kiffin is gone, offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. is back with the Rebels for the playoff before he, too, ultimately leaves for LSU. Former defensive coordinator Pete Golding was announced as the team’s new head coach, giving some stability to the program before its playoff date.
Star quarterback Trinidad Chambliss is another key fixture in the Rebels’ title hopes.
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Ahead of the playoff the star quarterback received a major honor by winning the SEC Newcomer of the Year award after completing 65.5% of his passes for 3,016 yards with 18 touchdowns and just three interceptions while adding another 470 yards and six touchdowns on the ground.
After watching Kiffin leave, Chambliss revealed he’s attempting to get a waiver for another college football season, but didn’t suggest plans to transfer.
“This is technically my last year,” he said. “I’m obviously trying to get another waiver, another year of eligibility. But, yeah I do got to start thinking about maybe possibly training for the NFL and having pre-draft stuff and just got to be ready for whatever happens.”
Ole Miss hosts Tulane on Dec. 20 at 3:30 p.m. ET with the game being broadcast on ESPN. The Rebels previously defeated the Green Wave in a 45-10 rout.
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