Now stars for No. 13 Mizzou, QB Simmons and WR Lee ready to face former teammates at No. 9 Ole Miss

In one of college football’s most anticipated matchups, No. 13 Missouri and No. 9 Ole Miss will face off on Saturday at Vaught Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Mississippi. Former teammates Austin Simmons, the Tigers’ quarterback, and Cayden Lee, the Rebels’ wide receiver, will take the field in a game that could be crucial for their teams’ chances of making the College Football Playoff.

Simmons transferred from Ole Miss to Missouri last season after winning a starting quarterback job from then-Ferris State transfer Trinidad Chambliss, only to lose it when he got injured. However, he found success with his new team, leading the Tigers to a 5-1 record, and has become a key player for coach Eli Drinkwitz. Chambliss, on the other hand, has continued to lead Ole Miss under new coach Pete Golding, but Lee followed Simmons to Missouri in search of a starting quarterback role.

Coach Drinkwitz emphasized the importance of Simmons' leadership and temperament in handling the transition from starting quarterback to being "Pip‑ped" — a reference to Wally Pipp, the New York Yankees slugger who lost his starting job to Lou Gehrig. Lee, who joined Missouri without knowing who would start at QB, expressed excitement about playing against his former teammate and coach.

While the game carries significant importance for both teams’ playoff hopes, both coaches and players insist there is no lingering animosity or bitterness. Golding, Ole Miss’ coach, stated that the transfer process between the two sides was marked by mutual respect and positive feelings. Drinkwitz echoed this sentiment, urging his players to focus on the opportunity to play a top-10 opponent and enjoy the journey they have taken together.