College football preseason rankings: Is No. 6 Ole Miss ready to contend for a title?

Welcome to the first year of the 12-team College Football Playoff.

In anticipation of the first four-round postseason in college football history, we’re counting down our predicted playoff field as the season approaches. The top five conference champions in the CFP selection committee’s rankings will make the playoff and the rest of the field will be filled out by seven at-large teams. Who will lift the national championship trophy on Jan. 20 in Atlanta?

Previous previews: Nos. 25-13, No. 12 Boise State, No. 11 Utah, No. 10 Florida State, No. 9 Missouri, No. 8 Michigan, No. 7 Notre Dame

Click here for the Viewer’s Guide to the New College Football Playoff. (Taylor Wilhelm/Yahoo Sports)

Last season in 100 words

The Rebels made a three-win jump in 2023 as their only two losses were at Alabama and at Georgia. The Rebels bounced back from the defeat to the Crimson Tide with a thrilling 55-49 win against LSU before reeling off four more victories until a blowout loss to the Bulldogs.

The season ended on a high note with a 38-25 win over Penn State in the Peach Bowl. The victory — and Ole Miss’ performance against both Alabama and Georgia — solidified the Rebels in the second tier of the SEC behind the two teams that played in the conference title game.

Ole Miss lands at No. 6 in the Yahoo Sports preseason rankings. (Grant Thomas/Yahoo Sports)

Why Ole Miss can make the playoff

The Rebels bring a ton of talent back from the 2023 team and supplemented it with some key transfer portal additions. Throw in a schedule that includes two of its toughest games of the season at home and you can see why Ole Miss is aiming for the playoff.

RB Quinshon Judkins transferred to Ohio State after the season but he wasn’t nearly as efficient in 2023 as he was in 2022. Judkins averaged 4.3 yards a carry while backup Ulysses Bentley…

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Author : Yahoo Sports

Publish date : 2024-08-21 12:30:15

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