Where Ole Miss football is ranked in preseason AP Top 25 Poll

Oxford, Mississippi's Ole Miss football team is set to begin the 2026 season with high expectations. According to the preseason AP Top 25 Poll released on August 17, the Rebels are ranked at No. 9. This ranking is an improvement from their No. 10 ranking in the preseason US LBM Coaches Poll, which was released on August 4. Both Ole Miss and Ohio State secured the top spots in their respective polls.

Ole Miss's recent success includes making its first College Football Playoff appearance in 2025, where they defeated Tulane in the first round and Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. However, they lost to Miami in the Fiesta Bowl with a score of 31-27. Key players returning to form are quarterback Trinidad Chambliss and running back Kewan Lacy.

In an effort to highlight their star players, Ole Miss has initiated a joint Heisman Trophy campaign. Currently, three SEC teams outrank the Rebels: Georgia at No. 3, Texas at No. 5, and Texas A&M at No. 8. The Rebels will kick off their season on September 6, facing off against Louisville in a neutral site game at Nashville's Titans Nissan Stadium. The Cardinals are currently ranked No. 24 in the preseason poll.