Ole Miss is No. 1 in the Playoff Predictor, but survival won’t be easy

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There’s no breathing with this deal, no chance to enjoy what was in the quickly evolving world of what’s next.

Or, as they say in the SEC, next week.

“I don’t think anybody came here just to beat LSU,” said Ole Miss coach Pete Golding.

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Because what’s next isn’t exactly much easier than dealing with the Lane Kiffin circus. Especially when you’re the new No.1 in the USA TODAY Sports Playoff Predictor.

Toppmeyer: Lane Kiffin, who’s your daddy? It’s Trinidad Chambliss and Ole Miss

College Football Playoff Panic Meter: Oklahoma is off the charts. Which contender is next?

The road as No. 1 begins with a trip to Florida next weekend, the same Florida that rolled into Auburn on Saturday and hung 44 on a stout defense that was the one thing new Tigers coach Alex Golesh could rely on.

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Lane Kiffin returns to Oxford as LSU meets Ole Miss

Lane Kiffin returns to Oxford as LSU faces Ole Miss in a Southeastern Conference matchup at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.

Above, Lane Kiffin of the Louisiana State Tigers waves before the game against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on September 19, 2026 in Oxford, Mississippi.

(Justin Ford, Getty Images)

After that, there’s a roadie against unbeaten Vanderbilt, which found a quarterback in freshman Jared Curtis — and despite what you may think of the one-time SEC tomato can, has won 14 of its past 17 games. Then unbeaten Missouri enters the chat, with the return of former Ole Miss quarterback Austin Simmons.

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That fun month is followed by games against Texas and Georgia, merely the two preseasons favorites in the SEC. Yeah, welcome to the grind, fellas.

The next week is always more important than the last, no matter the drama and distraction.

A look at this week’s USA TODAY Sports Playoff Predictor, where the SEC is quickly pulling away from the field with its non-conference flex (10-2 vs. Power conference opponents) and performance in big games.

Projected 2026 College Football Playoff field

  1. Ole Miss (3-0). No one has two better wins (Louisville, LSU), and no one has a better player on the field than Trinidad Chambliss. Next: at Florida.

  3. Georgia (3-0). Done with the early season stretch, Dawgs? The heavy lifting has arrived, and it’s time to see if this Georgia defense really does remind everyone of 2021-22. Next: vs. Oklahoma.

  4. Ohio State (2-1). Buckeyes need to find consistency in run game over next month of the season before trip to Indiana. Next: vs. Illinois.

  5. Miami (3-0). QB Darian Mensah connected on his first 24 passes against Wake Forest, and I’m already bored with this Miami schedule. Next: vs. Central Michigan.

  6. LSU (2-1). How does LSU respond to failing in the biggest moment of the season? Because don’t kid yourself, this was the Big One — at least until there’s something bigger to play for. Next: vs. Texas A&M.

  7. Indiana (3-0). Three nonconference cupcakes down, and what do we really know about the champs? Don’t expect to learn more this week. Next: vs. Northwestern.

  8. Notre Dame (3-0). In the time that Notre Dame finally reaches November and plays Miami, Texas will have played Ohio State, at Tennessee, Oklahoma in Dallas, Florida and Ole Miss. Next: at Purdue.

  10. Louisville (2-1). That was Louisville trading blows with Ole Miss until the last play of the game — when a field goal won it for the Rebels. Don’t forget that, or the big win over SMU. Next: vs. Wake Forest.

  11. BYU (3-0). Next: BYU or Texas Tech or Houston or Utah. They’re all the same at this point, and someone — because of these lovely CFP rules — must make the show. Next: Bye.

  12. Boise State (2-1). Broncos already vanquished one Group of 5 CFP contender (Memphis), and can take care of another this week. Next: at Western Michigan.

The first round

  • BYU (11) at LSU (6)

  • Louisville (10) at Indiana (7)

  • Alabama (9) at Notre Dame (8)

The quarterfinals

  • Ole Miss (1) vs. Alabama-Notre Dame winner

  • Texas (2) vs. Louisville-Indiana winner

  • Georgia (3) vs. BYU-LSU winner

  • Ohio State (4) vs. Boise State-Miami winner

Matt Hayes is the senior national college football writer for USA TODAY Sports Network. Follow him on X at @MattHayesCFB. Listen to him daily, from 12-2 p.m., on 1010XL-Jacksonville.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ole Miss is No. 1 in the Playoff Predictor, but survival won’t be easy

Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: Sports.yahoo.com

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