Ole Miss Football Survives Oklahoma Test: Rebels Win 34-26

In one of Week 9's most anticipated SEC showdowns, the No. 8 Ole Miss Rebels escaped Norman with a hard-fought 34-26 victory over No. 13 Oklahoma on Saturday, preserving their College Football Playoff aspirations while simultaneously dealing a significant blow to the Sooners' postseason hopes.

Trinidad Chambliss Leads Rebels to Crucial Road Win

Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss showcased his dual-threat capabilities, accounting for three touchdowns in the victory. After Ole Miss' first setback of the season against Georgia the previous week, the Rebels needed a statement performance on the road—and Chambliss delivered when it mattered most.

The game featured a back-and-forth battle that tested both teams' playoff credentials. Ole Miss jumped out to an early lead with methodical drives powered by their balanced offensive attack. Running back Kewan Lacy continued his impressive season, grinding out tough yards against Oklahoma's stout defensive front.

Defense Makes Critical Fourth-Quarter Stops

The defining moments came in the final quarter with the game hanging in the balance. After Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer orchestrated two touchdown drives to pull the Sooners within striking distance, Ole Miss' defense—which had struggled against Georgia's offense the previous week—found the resolve to make crucial stops when needed.

With just over seven minutes remaining and Ole Miss clinging to a narrow lead, the Rebels forced a turnover that proved pivotal. Isaiah Sategna fumbled on a punt return, and Ole Miss capitalized with a field goal to extend their advantage to 34-26.

Oklahoma had one final opportunity to tie or take the lead, but on a critical fourth-and-5 with 1:30 remaining, Mateer missed a wide-open receiver, and the Sooners turned the ball over on downs. Ole Miss was able to run out the clock, securing the victory as Mateer's desperation Hail Mary attempt fell incomplete.

Lane Kiffin's Road Record Under Scrutiny

The win was particularly significant for head coach Lane Kiffin, who has faced criticism for his team's performance in high-stakes road games against ranked SEC opponents. This marked Ole Miss' first ranked SEC road victory under Kiffin's leadership—a monkey finally off the program's back.

However, the victory came with additional off-field drama. Kiffin continues to face speculation about his future, with persistent rumors linking him to the Florida Gators' vacant head coaching position. Oklahoma fans even trolled the Ole Miss sideline with "Gator chomps" as players jogged off the field after pregame warmups, adding an extra layer of intrigue to an already charged atmosphere.

In his postgame interview, Kiffin couldn't resist a parting jab at an Oklahoma defender who had predicted the Sooners wouldn't allow Ole Miss to score. The Rebels' 34 points emphatically disproved that bold claim.

Oklahoma's Playoff Hopes Take Major Hit

For Oklahoma, the loss represents a devastating blow to their playoff ambitions. The Sooners entered the game at 6-1 with legitimate CFP aspirations, but falling to 6-2 with a challenging November schedule ahead puts them in a precarious position.

Despite the setback, Oklahoma's defense performed admirably for most of the contest. The Sooners held Ole Miss' high-powered offense in check for significant stretches, particularly in containing the Rebels' explosive passing attack. Coach Brent Venables' defensive unit ranks among the nation's elite, allowing fewer than 10 points per game—matched only by Ohio State.

Mateer showed glimpses of the form that carried Oklahoma through September's tough schedule, but crucial mistakes at pivotal moments proved costly. The Sooners managed to score on several drives, including two rushing touchdowns in the fourth quarter that briefly gave them a 26-25 lead following a successful two-point conversion.

Oklahoma Memorial Stadium Atmosphere Falls Short

The game marked another chapter in Oklahoma's transition to SEC competition. After a disappointing 6-7 inaugural season in the conference in 2024, the Sooners entered 2025 with higher expectations. Saturday's loss raised questions about whether Oklahoma can consistently compete with the SEC's elite programs.

The Sooners have historically dominated ranked opponents at home, winning their last three matchups against top-25 teams in Norman before Saturday. However, Ole Miss proved to be a different challenge, combining offensive firepower with just enough defensive resilience to escape with the victory.

SEC Playoff Picture Takes Shape

Saturday's slate of SEC games significantly impacted the conference's playoff positioning. With three matchups between ranked teams—Ole Miss-Oklahoma, Missouri-Vanderbilt, and Texas A&M-LSU—Week 9 provided crucial data points for the selection committee.

Ole Miss improved to 7-1 overall and 4-1 in SEC play, keeping pace with conference leaders Texas A&M and Alabama. The Rebels' remaining schedule will determine whether they can secure one of the coveted playoff berths, but this road victory demonstrated the kind of toughness required to succeed in postseason play.

The victory also validated Ole Miss' offensive system, which has consistently produced points against quality competition. Despite last week's defensive struggles against Georgia, the Rebels showed they can win different types of games—a crucial quality for playoff contenders.

Looking Ahead

For Ole Miss, the focus shifts to maintaining momentum while managing the ongoing speculation surrounding Kiffin's future. The Rebels have proven they can compete with anyone when firing on all cylinders, but consistency—particularly on defense—will determine their ultimate ceiling this season.

Oklahoma faces the difficult task of regrouping with playoff hopes hanging by a thread. The Sooners' remaining schedule offers little margin for error, and another loss would likely eliminate them from CFP consideration entirely.

As the college football season enters its critical final stretch, Saturday's game in Norman served as a reminder that in the SEC, every week brings battles that can make or break championship dreams. Ole Miss survived this test, but many more await as the race to the College Football Playoff intensifies.