From Tulane to the Sugar Bowl: What Ole Miss Takes Forward Against Georgia

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OXFORD, Miss. — After beating Tulane last Saturday, Ole Miss lives to fight another day in the college football playoff. With the win over the Green Wave, Pete Golding gained his first victory as a head coach, and the Rebels never looked distracted as they inch closer to an opportunity to win a national championship.

The final game inside Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in 2025 was one to remember, and much credit is due to the fanbase, the athletic department, and, of course, the players and staff, for working and creating a top atmosphere for a premier program. And now, a big rematch awaits against the Georgia Bulldogs on New Year’s Day.

Let’s take a look at what we learned from the win over Tulane and what that means for the upcoming game against the Bulldogs.

All doubt erased

Against Tulane, the Rebels racked up 497 yards of total offense — which should have come as no surprise. But for some it did. With the departure of Lane Kiffin to LSU, many doubted if Ole Miss’ high-powered, tempo offense would run as smoothly as it has all season long. Well, there was no hesitation from the offense, as the first drive of the game silenced any doubters. Two big passes from Trinidad Chambliss to De’Zhaun Stribling and Dae’Quan Wright would then lead to Kewan Lacy exploding to the endzone for a 20-yard touchdown run. Ole Miss quickly made history in its first ever college football playoff appearance as the opening drive ending in just 59 seconds, the fastest in college football playoff history. Every game, this offense continues to show just how dynamic it is.

The wide receiver room showcased its abilities early, but that isn’t anything new. This offense has weapons, guys that can create space in the open field, make any catch, and put up points in a hurry. Stribling hauled in a touchdown catch against Tulane, marking his third straight game with a touchdown, and Deuce Alexander led the way with seven catches and 87 yards. Seven players had more than two catches against Tulane, showcasing the arsenal that Trinidad Chambliss has in his pocket.

As for Chambliss, the Tulane game was one of his most polished of the season, and that speaks volumes. Ole Miss went 5-for-7 in the red zone last Saturday, a recipe for success against any team. Chambliss is getting hot at the right time, and with a rematch against the Georgia Bulldogs lurking, that’s exactly what Ole Miss fans want to see. Against the Green Wave,  Chambliss notched two rushing touchdowns, once again, displaying his effectiveness as a dual-threat quarterback — making him a point of attack for any opposing defense. Chambliss surpassed 300 total yards of offense against Tulane, eclipsing this mark for the ninth time this season. While Rebel fans await the news of his waiver request for an additional year of eligibility, Chambliss just continues to work hard as he makes a mark that will forever be remembered in Ole Miss history.

Bend-not-break mentality from the defense

Against Tulane, there were plenty of moments the Ole Miss defense gave up too many big plays according to Pete Golding. However, though they bent, they never broke. Tulane hunkered down and put up more than 400 yards of total offense, but the score wouldn’t indicate that as the defense stopped them time and again from entering the end zone. The Rebels’ defense was successful in every aspect, especially in the clutch moments.  The Tulane offense went 0-for-4 on fourth downs against Ole Miss, and 5-for-13 on third downs. Tulane entered the game with over a 50% conversion rate on fourth downs this season and nearly 40% on third downs.

As they head into preparations for Gunner Stockton and the Bulldogs, there are certainly things for Ole Miss to clean up. Finding the right holes to stop the Tulane run game seemed to be a problem at times, so that is something Coach Golding and his staff will be addressing. The preparation for Tulane should be helpful for Ole Miss, as Green Wave QB Retzlaff has the ability to use his legs effectively. That game film will no doubt be analyzed.

But besides the analytics, this was an Ole Miss defense that came prepared to play. The mental toughness and will-to-win was on display this past weekend, and that starts with turnovers. The turnover margin was a big part of the matchup against Tulane that Coach Golding and assistant coach Bryan Brown mentioned prior to the game–and Ole Miss won that battle. As Tulane surged down the field on the first drive of the game, Arkansas transfer Jaylon Braxton hauled in a huge interception giving momentum to the team, the fans, and the offense who would go on to score on the next drive. TJ Dottery and Suntarine Perkins also forced a fumble, two players who were vital to the success of the defense in the game, veterans who have been through the wars with Pete Golding. Princewill Umanmielen excelled in every aspect of the game, and continues to be an x-factor for Ole Miss when they need him the most. The Nebraska transfer recorded 1.5 sacks against the Green Wave, and his dominance allowed other guys to be free in one-on-one opportunities.

Special teams matter

Although most folks focus on offense and defense, there is a third part to the game and it’s one in which Ole Miss excels: special teams. Punter Oscar Bird and kicker Lucas Carneiro reigned supreme over Tulane. Carneiro tallied two field goals from 40+ yards against Tulane and continues to be one of the most efficient kickers in all of America. His impact is also felt on extra points and kickoffs, where he has remained a powerhouse in those areas for Ole Miss this season. Having a reliable kicker helps get you out of tough situations, and that has been a key factor in Ole Miss winning so many close games this season. Punter Bird may be my player of the game, purely due to his delivery. Against Tulane, he recorded three punts for 134 yards, and that is superior. Because of Bird, the Green Wave never had any opportunities for great field position, and this will be extremely important against the Georgia offense in the Sugar Bowl. Special teams might be the difference in the game.

Final thoughts

The Ole Miss offense resoundingly answered the questions of what it would be without Kiffin. The Rebels have an experienced offensive line, a quarterback who is at the top of his game, a wide receiver corps that is spectacular, and a running back who is one of the best in the country.  Defensively, the Rebels are tough and experienced with a grind-it-out mentality. They don’t let anything get to them and are always ready to spot the ball and play the next play. Ole Miss’ special teams are elite and will once again play a pivotal role in the upcoming game against Georgia.

Ole Miss takes on Georgia in the Sugar Bowl on January 1, 2026 at 7 p.m. CT in New Orleans at the Caesars Superdome.