On November 29, Ole Miss triumphed in the Egg Bowl against Mississippi State, winning 26-14. However, this victory did not help the Rebels improve their standing in the College Football Playoff rankings, where they remain at 14th. Sports analyst Brad Crawford expressed skepticism about Ole Miss’s chances, suggesting that their performance was unlikely to impress the playoff selection committee. He tweeted that no uplifting narrative could emerge from the game.
Adding to this commentary, Bud Elliot from 247 Sports noted that Mississippi State’s underwhelming performance made it easier for Ole Miss to secure the win without revealing much about their strengths. He suggested other SEC teams, aside from Arkansas, may have held back against Mississippi State, indicating that Ole Miss’s lackluster showing could hurt their playoff aspirations.
Ole Miss had previously sealed their playoff fate with a loss to Florida earlier in the season, meaning that the Egg Bowl win lacked significant impact unless it had been a dominant performance. The fact that they trailed at halftime diminished the victory’s appeal.
In a notable shift in the playoff landscape, South Carolina moved ahead of Ole Miss in the rankings after defeating Clemson in Week 14. Crawford explained that South Carolina could potentially crack the top 11 with some help from other teams in their upcoming games.
What seemed unthinkable just a few months ago, with South Carolina overtaking Ole Miss in the playoff race, now stands on the edge of reality. One minor upset could shift the entire narrative, showcasing just how unpredictable college football can be.
This scenario highlights the competitive nature of college football, where each game can drastically change the playoff picture. As teams gear up for the final stretch of the season, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely, hoping for thrilling outcomes that may alter their team’s fate. The excitement continues as college football remains full of surprises.