Ole Miss and Louisville meet on Sunday night in Nashville for one of Week 1’s must-see matchups. The Rebels are around a touchdown favorite for this SEC-ACC clash. Among Week 1 contests, this is the only game with both teams ranked inside of the Associated Press Top 25.
It’s a new era at Ole Miss with Pete Golding entering his first full season in charge. Golding is off to a strong start after leading the Rebels to two playoff victories last year and maintaining a high level of roster retention after Lane Kiffin left for LSU. Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss and running back Kewan Lacy are back to anchor a high-powered offense. Also, Ole Miss hopes a handful of transfer acquisitions improve a defense that allowed 26.3 points per game against SEC opponents last year. Golding isn’t expected to change much in ‘26. However, a tough schedule and question marks on the offensive line will make for a difficult path back to the 12-team field.
Louisville enters ‘26 as one of the frontrunners in the ACC. Running back Isaac Brown — a preseason Athlon Sports’ All-American — leads one of the nation’s top backfields for coach Jeff Brohm. The Cardinals should be strong on the defensive front with edge rusher Clev Lubin returning, along with one of the ACC’s top linebacker groups. The development of Ohio State transfer quarterback Lincoln Kienholz looms large for Louisville and its hierarchy in the ACC.
Ole Miss holds a 1-0 edge in the all-time series against Louisville.
Louisville vs. Ole Miss Odds and Info
Kickoff: Sunday, Sept. 6 at 7:30 p.m. ET
TV: ABC
Spread: Ole Miss -6.5
Over/Under: 55.5
Location: Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn.
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Steven Lassan: I think this game will be one of the most competitive in Week 1. Louisville’s defense can create havoc off the edge with Lubin and do enough in the secondary to potentially limit some of the big plays by Chambliss and a talented (but revamped) receiving corps. An improved Ole Miss defense will also be tested by the Cardinals’ offense, including Brown and dynamic receiver Tre Richardson. If Brohm can scheme up some easy big plays for Kienholz, this one will be in doubt late in the fourth quarter. However, it’s hard to pick against Chambliss and Lacy.
Prediction: Ole Miss 31, Louisville 24
Kyle Wood: This is the first test case to see just how much the backfield of Trinidad Chambliss and Kewan Lacy can prop up Ole Miss. I’m betting that they have the talent to elevate a Rebels team expected to regress. Louisville has questions to answer on offense as quarterback Lincoln Kienholz makes his first start. But running backs Isaac Brown and Keyjuan Brown will keep the Cardinals close.
Prediction: Ole Miss 26, Louisville 20
