Ole Miss hosts Tulane in a College Football Playoff first-round rematch on December 19 or 20 after dominating the Green Wave 45-10 this past September. The No. 6 seed Rebels look to replicate that dominant performance and advance deeper into the postseason. This high-stakes playoff showdown will determine who moves on to face No. 3 Georgia in the Sugar Bowl.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Ole Miss beat Tulane 45-10 on September 20 in their first matchup this season
- The Rebels are 11-1 heading into the playoff, their first CFP appearance ever
- Tulane won the American Athletic Conference championship and earned the No. 11 seed
- The first-round game takes place December 19 or 20, 2025 at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium
Rematch Sets Up Rebels for Dominant Encore Performance
Cagliari faces Lecce tonight in Serie A showdown, Rossoblu seek top-half push
Girona faces Barcelona tonight in La Liga showdown, Barcelona chases lead
Ole Miss enters this matchup with tremendous momentum after securing the No. 6 seed in the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff bracket. The Rebels earned their first playoff berth in school history thanks to their 11-1 regular season record and impressive SEC credentials. Tulane, despite its loss to Ole Miss in September, navigated an incredible season by winning the American Athletic Conference championship.
The September 20 meeting was utterly dominant. Ole Miss built a 23-3 halftime lead and pulled away decisively in the second half. The Rebels controlled line of scrimmage, moved the ball at will, and the Green Wave simply couldn’t match Ole Miss’s depth or talent. Tulane showed resilience to make the playoff anyway, demonstrating their quality despite the lopsided loss.
Key Storylines: Can Tulane Show Improvement or Will Ole Miss Dominate Again?
East Texas A&M faces Southeastern in Family Fun Day matchup today
Macclesfield faces Brentford tonight in FA Cup fourth-round showdown
The most compelling question entering this rematch centers on whether Tulane can make meaningful adjustments from their September performance. The Green Wave learned from that defeat, finished the regular season strong, and earned the American Conference Championship. They won conference tournament games to solidify their playoff credentials.
Ole Miss, meanwhile, continues to evolve offensively and defensively. The Rebels’ pass rush and secondary showed why they belong in the elite tier of college football. If the Rebels execute their game plan like they did in September, another blowout becomes entirely possible. Tulane’s secondary and defensive line will face an extremely steep challenge stopping Ole Miss’s talented receivers and explosive running game.
Playoff Bracket Details: Path to the Sugar Bowl
| Category | Details |
| Ole Miss Seed | No. 6 (11-1 record) |
| Tulane Seed | No. 11 (11-2 record) |
| Game Location | Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, Oxford, Mississippi |
| Game Date | December 19 or 20, 2025 (time TBA) |
| Winner Faces | No. 3 Georgia in the Sugar Bowl on January 1, 2026 |
| Tulane Path | Won American Athletic Conference championship |
Home Field Advantage: Ole Miss Looks to Dominate in Oxford
Playing at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium provides the Rebels an exceptional advantage. The Oxford crowd will create noise penalties for Tulane’s offense and disrupt communication. Ole Miss has thrived at home this season, building most of their success around their home field edge. Tulane must come into Oxford prepared to overcome both the Rebels’ talent and hostile environment.
The historical context matters too. Ole Miss achieved their first-ever playoff appearance, making this historic for the program. The energy and motivation will be palpable. Offensive line cohesion, receiver execution, and defensive dominance will carry the day if Ole Miss plays to their standard.
What Must Happen for This Rematch to Provide Playoff Drama?
For Tulane to stay competitive or create an upset, they’ll need breakthrough performances from their pass rush and secondary. The Green Wave must pressure the Ole Miss quarterback early and often. Additionally, Tulane’s offense needs to establish their ground game and control clock to limit Ole Miss’s possessions.
Conversely, if Ole Miss’s playmakers get loose early (especially the receivers and running backs), the Rebels could put this away by halftime. The game’s narrative hinges on whether Tulane shows significant tactical improvement or whether Ole Miss simply overpowers them again. Based on the September matchup, the Rebels’ superior talent and depth suggest another dominant performance awaits.
The Stakes for Each Program
For Ole Miss, advancing means facing top-seeded competition with a realistic path to the national championship game as a six seed. For Tulane, a victory would represent one of the greatest comebacks in program history and validate their conference championship.
Michael Brown is a seasoned sports journalist bringing years of experience covering professional athletics and sporting culture. With a keen eye for breaking stories and player dynamics, this veteran journalist delivers in-depth analysis and exclusive insights from the world’s biggest sporting events. His passion for the game shines through in every story, keeping fans connected to the action both on and off the field.