Ole Miss football faces 11-2 Tulane today in a historic College Football Playoff first-round rematch. The No. 6 Rebels host the No. 11 Green Wave at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, with both programs making their CFP debut together.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Kickoff: 3:30 p.m. ET / 2:30 p.m. CT on Saturday, December 20, 2025
- Location: Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Mississippi (sold out)
- Broadcast: TNT, truTV, and HBO Max nationwide
- Stakes: Winner advances to Sugar Bowl to face Georgia in New Orleans
Two Historic Playoff Debuts Collide in Oxford Today
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This matchup marks an unprecedented moment in College Football Playoff history. Both Ole Miss and Tulane are making their first-ever CFP appearance, and they immediately face off against each other in the opening round.
The Rebels earned the No. 6 seed with an 11-1 regular season record, finishing 7-1 in SEC play. Tulane arrives as the No. 11 seed with an 11-2 record, compiling an impressive 7-1 conference mark in the American. Both teams exceeded pre-season expectations to earn playoff berths.
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Ole Miss takes the field under new head coach Pete Golding, who was promoted from defensive coordinator after Lane Kiffin’s departure to LSU on November 30. Golding has led the Rebels through their playoff preparation in just 19 days, emphasizing team focus over the coaching transition.
The September Blueprint: Can Tulane Execute Differently?
These teams already met this season on September 20 in Oxford, when Ole Miss dominated with a 45-10 victory. The Rebels’ defense was particularly effective, holding Tulane to limited offensive opportunities while the Ole Miss offense operated at peak efficiency.
Tulane’s offense struggled against the Ole Miss defensive scheme in that September encounter, a concerning trend they’ll need to reverse today. The Green Wave defense surrendered 548 yards of offense and allowed 45 points in the first meeting, forcing defensive coordinator Jon Sumrall’s team to make substantial adjustments heading into the playoff rematch.
| Team Stat | Ole Miss (No. 6) | Tulane (No. 11) |
| Record | 11-1 overall | 11-2 overall |
| Conference Record | 7-1 SEC | 7-1 American |
| Home Record | Undefeated at home | 4-2 on road/neutral |
| Sept. 20 Result | Won 45-10 | Lost 45-10 |
Pete Golding’s First Playoff Test as Head Coach at Ole Miss
The coaching storyline dominates this matchup. Golding previously served as Alabama’s defensive coordinator under Nick Saban, earning consistent praise for his teaching ability and scheme innovation.
Taking over an 11-1 team mid-transition presented enormous pressure. Golding has kept players focused by emphasizing that the playoff push belongs to the team, not the coaching staff. His defensive expertise will be critical against a Tulane offense seeking to improve on its September performance.
Betting Implications and the Scoring Challenge for Tulane
Ole Miss enters as a 17.5-point favorite, the largest spread of the first playoff round. Vegas clearly expects the Rebels’ dominant performance from September to repeat, with experts projecting a 39-21 Ole Miss victory in preliminary predictions.
For Tulane to pull the upset, the Green Wave offense must operate differently than it did in the first meeting. Tulane can take heart from winning 8 of 10 games since September, showing improvement trajectory entering the playoffs.
The total is set at 57.5, suggesting analysts expect a defensive-minded affair where both teams control field position and limit big plays.
Can Tulane’s Late-Season Momentum Disrupt Ole Miss’ Home Dominance Today?
Tulane will attempt to become one of the greatest underdog stories in College Football Playoff history. The Green Wave have momentum winning their final conference games and competing in a loaded American Athletic Conference.
Ole Miss, meanwhile, possesses a sold-out home crowd advantage and dominant defensive foundation that should provide Pete Golding’s defense early playoff success. However, rematches rarely produce identical results, setting up the possibility of closer-than-expected competition today.
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.