Ole Miss triumphed in the 2024 Egg Bowl against Mississippi State on November 29, winning 26-14, but the victory did little to bolster their chances of making the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff. Brad Crawford from 247 Sports remarked that the Rebels’ performance did not impress the selection committee and that their chances of moving up in the rankings appeared bleak unless an extraordinary shake-up occurred during Rivalry Week.
Further analysis by Bud Elliot from 247 Sports suggested that other SEC teams, excluding Arkansas, might not have revealed their full capabilities against Mississippi State, insinuating that Ole Miss’s lackluster performance was enough to secure a win without much effort.
The Rebels’ playoff aspirations took a significant hit when they lost to Florida in a critical late-season matchup prior to the Egg Bowl, indicating that a dominant win against the Bulldogs would have been necessary to keep their playoff hopes alive. The fact that Ole Miss trailed at one point in the game further detracted from the win’s significance.
In contrast, South Carolina ascended in the College Football Playoff rankings following their victory over Clemson, overtaking Ole Miss in the process. Crawford noted that for South Carolina to maintain its position within the playoff picture, they would need at least two among five other teams – including SMU, Alabama, Tennessee, Indiana, and Miami – to lose in their respective games.
The idea of South Carolina potentially earning a spot in the College Football Playoff at the expense of Ole Miss would have been surprising just a few months ago, highlighting the unpredictability of college football and the relentless competition that characterizes the SEC.
Looking ahead, the playoffs may still provide unexpected opportunities for teams like Ole Miss. While their current standing poses challenges, the dynamic nature of college football leaves room for surprising outcomes, encouraging fans to remain hopeful for future seasons.
In summary, while Ole Miss’s immediate playoff hopes appear dim, the atmosphere of unpredictability in college football keeps the situation engaging and full of potential changes.