On November 29, Ole Miss claimed victory in the 2024 Egg Bowl against Mississippi State, winning 26-14. However, this win did little to bolster their chances of making it into the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff. Despite the victory, analysts are questioning whether the Rebels can improve their standing, with 247 Sports’ Brad Crawford tweeting that the selection committee will not view the game positively due to its lack of impact.
Fellow analyst Bud Elliot suggested that Mississippi State was sounderwhelming this season that Ole Miss’s performance appeared lackluster despite their win. He noted that several SEC teams may not have shown their full capabilities against the Bulldogs, implying that the Rebels were underwhelming even while securing the victory.
Ole Miss previously lost a critical game against Florida, which significantly damaged their playoff aspirations. The Egg Bowl would have needed to produce an impressive margin of victory for the Rebels to remain in contention, especially since they fell behind in the first half, making the win less impressive.
Moreover, South Carolina has now surpassed Ole Miss in the College Football Playoff rankings following their win against Clemson. Crawford emphasized that for South Carolina to maintain a chance at the playoff, they would need some help from other teams losing in their upcoming matchups.
This recent shift in rankings highlights the unpredictability of college football and serves as a reminder that individual games can have significant repercussions on a team’s playoff chances. While Ole Miss may face an uphill battle moving forward, the dynamic nature of college football means that opportunities still exist for a turnaround. Fans will be watching closely as the playoff picture continues to develop, hoping for a thrilling conclusion to the season.