Rebels’ Rooting Interest: Who Ole Miss fans should pull for in Week 8 across the SEC
OXFORD, Miss. — If you’ve ever wondered who Ole Miss needs to win or lose on a particular weekend, this is the article for you! Another game weekend in the SEC is upon us, week eight to be exact, and here’s our column, “Rooting Interests.”
Note: These “Rooting Interests” are based on what results this weekend help Ole Miss the most in the long run. Ideally, they are void of emotional, recruiting, or momentum biases and are more focused on what benefits the Rebels metrically. When the metric impact is tied, other aspects are considered. These are not reflective of what any one person is rooting for or predicting.
All game times and betting lines were obtained through ESPN.com as of October 16th. All rankings are from the Associated Press, and games are listed chronologically for October 18, 2025
SEC Games:
No. 10 LSU @ No. 17 Vanderbilt
11:00am, ABC
VAN -2.5, O/U 49.5
Rooting Interest: LSU
Emotions are set aside here. LSU has a loss to Ole Miss. Ole Miss does not play the Commodores. An LSU win on the road in Nashville boosts the Strength of Record for Ole Miss.
No. 14 Oklahoma @ South Carolina
11:45am, SEC Network
OU -5.5, O/U 43.5
Rooting Interest: South Carolina
This choice isn’t as straightforward. On Saturday, Ole Miss will play Oklahoma 7 days in the future and play South Carolina 7 days later. With no ties in College Football, an Ole Miss future opponent will leave Williams-Brice Stadium with a win, the other with a loss. Since the results of this game are metrically even with how they impact the Rebels, the rooting interest boils down to momentum. Oklahoma is coming off an emotional loss in a rivalry game, and another would add pressure. Root for the Sooners to come within one loss of playoff elimination ahead of a game against the Rebs.
No. 4 Texas A&M @ Arkansas
2:30pm, ESPN
TA&M -7.5, O/U 60.5
Rooting Interest: Arkansas
Ole Miss beat Arkansas, does not play Texas A&M, and the Aggies are the lone undefeated SEC team other than Ole Miss. Drive safely, Bobby Petrino.
No. 5 Ole Miss @ No. 9 Georgia
2:30pm, ABC
UGA -7.5, O/U 54.5
Rooting Interest: Ole Miss
Hotty Toddy. Enough said.
Mississippi State @ Florida
3:15pm, SEC Network
FLA -9.5, O/U 50.5
Rooting Interest: Mississippi State
Ole Miss plays both teams in November. Metrically this matchup will have a neutral impact. A Gator loss could lead to the firing of Billy Napier, which could lead to chemistry problems in the locker room and a less confident Florida team for its showdown in Oxford. On the other hand, the firing of Florida’s Billy Napier means a begging attempt for Coach Lane Kiffin from the Gainesville faithful, potentially distracting the Rebels’ roster and staff. I personally wouldn’t worry about that. A Mississippi State win ensures a momentum boost for the Bulldogs in the Battle for the Golden Egg, but if Ole Miss can’t win that game anyways, it has bigger problems to worry about.
No. 21 Texas @ Kentucky
6:00pm, ESPN
TEX -12.5, O/U 44.5
Rooting Interest: Kentucky
A loss on the road likely eliminates Texas from the playoff picture and might make the Rebs’ win over the Wildcats go from “meh” to “meh plus”.
No. 11 Tennessee @ No. 6 Alabama
6:30pm, ABC
ALA -7.5, O/U 59.5
Rooting Interest: Tennessee
Neither Tennessee nor Alabama play Ole Miss this season. As it stands, this game will end up being important for the playoff and conference championship races, but it hasn’t been determined as to how it will impact them. For now, let us base the decision on the fact that Tennessee has a conference loss to Georgia, while Alabama is undefeated in SEC play. Root for the Vols to end that streak and put Ole Miss in to an even more prime position to play in Atlanta for the conference title.
No. 16 Missouri @ Auburn
6:45pm, SEC Network
MIZ -1.5, O/U 43.5
Rooting Interest: Auburn
Another game involving two teams Ole Miss does not have on the schedule this season. Auburn already has three losses, and Missouri losing its second game puts them on the brink for elimination in playoff and conference championship runs. Auburn’s head coach could keep his job—for now.
Non-SEC Games:
Louisville @ No. 2 Miami (Friday Night Game)
6:00pm FRIDAY, ESPN
MIA -13.5, O/U 49.5
Rooting Interest: Miami
On the surface this one seems to go against the assumption to root against the higher team. In this case it is reversed. Miami has already cemented themselves as a top team in the country and is the favorite in the ACC. Another Louisville loss opens up a battle for the second spot in the ACC Championship Game. Ideally, Miami wins out and the loser of that conference championship game misses an at-large spot in the playoffs. Let the Canes dominate the conference and turn the ACC into a one-bid league.
No. 12 Georgia Tech @ Duke
11:00am, ESPN
DUKE -1.5, O/U 60.5
Rooting Interest: Duke
As mentioned above, it is in Ole Miss’ best interest for the ACC to become a one-bid league. There is a world where Georgia Tech loses this game, loses to Georgia in their regular season finale, loses to Miami in the ACC Championship, and narrowly misses the ~11 seed in the playoffs. This is by no means an end all be all result for the Rebs, but hey, it could help.
Washington @ Michigan
11:00am, FOX
MICH -5.5, O/U 50.5
Rooting Interest: Michigan
You didn’t ask, but in my opinion this Washington team should be ranked in the Top-20. They are quietly a contender in the Big 10. This game is likely inconsequential for Ole Miss, but if FOX happens to be on your TV screen Saturday morning, root for the Wolverines.
No. 7 Texas Tech @ Arizona State
3:00pm, FOX
TTU -7.5, O/U 51.5
Rooting Interest: Texas Tech
Root for a stale Big 12 this year, although it’s unlikely to happen. Texas Tech running through that conference could impact the amount of playoff spots it gets.
No. 20 USC @ No. 13 Notre Dame
6:30pm, NBC/Peacock
ND -9.5, O/U 60.5
Rooting Interest: USC
In Today’s world of College Football, Notre Dame is a bid-stealer. A third loss very likely eliminates them from the playoffs. The rest of their Independent schedule isn’t exactly full of world-beaters.
No. 23 Utah @ No. 15 BYU
7:00pm, FOX
UTAH -3.5, O/U 49.5
Rooting Interest: Utah
BYU is undefeated; Utah is not. Root for another undefeated team to fall in this year’s Holy War.
