OXFORD, MISSISSIPPI - OCTOBER 17: Trinidad Chambliss #6 of the Mississippi Rebels looks on during the game against the Missouri Tigers at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on October 17, 2026 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images) | Getty Images
OXFORD, MISSISSIPPI - OCTOBER 17: Trinidad Chambliss #6 of the Mississippi Rebels looks on during the game against the Missouri Tigers at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on October 17, 2026 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images) | Getty Images · Getty Images

A lot to talk about this week when Ole Miss hits the road against Texas in a top 25 matchup that will absolutely shape the College Football Playoff race.

Pete Golding has only really had one embarrassing loss in his early tenure as Ole Miss head coach, but it came on the road in the SEC. Can he shake that off with a huge win over former number one Texas and Steve Sarkisian?

Since its bye week, Ole Miss’ defense looks to be more prepared and coming together as a better unit against Vanderbilt and Missouri. Is it going to continue this trajectory with a struggling Longhorn offense?

Then there’s Arch Manning facing much of his family’s alma mater where his grandfather and uncle have numbers retired and are immortalized. There was a ton of chatter he may not get all the first team reps this week as he has struggled more this season than expected. Has Texas already started turning the page on Arch and how much leeway do coaches give him in this massive game?

Kewan Lacy makes his return to his home state to the school he grew up watching and idolizing but that also did not offer him out of high school. His injured shoulder is reportedly medically cleared, so will this be a game where Lacy reminds the entire country why he had some Heisman hype?

Speaking of the Heisman, Texas has had two winners of the award, Earl Campbell and Ricky Williams, and now Trinidad Chambliss enters Darrell K. Royal Stadium with plenty of talking heads touting him as the best player in the country. These are the kind of games where a “Heisman moment” can happen, and Chambliss will need to have a good game for the Rebels to have a chance.

Texas is not the type of program that loses three games in a row, and Sarkisian will undoubtedly feel his seat heat up a thousand degrees if there is a home loss to Ole Miss. This was supposed to be their year to make a deep run or maybe even win a national championship. A loss today would potentially even spell doom for the head coach who has rebuilt the program and notched 10 or more wins the last three seasons.

It’s must watch TV tonight in Austin. HYDR, Hotty Toddy and cheers!

Source: Yahoo Sports