Fresh off a monster road win at Kentucky, the Lane Train returned home on Saturday, where they welcomed the Razorbacks of Arkansas to Vaught Hemingway Stadium for the home Southeastern Conference opener. Needing another statement win, the Rebels would play host to one of their craziest conference opponents of all time, with numerous weird and wacky games throughout the history of the rivalry. The unexpected is always expected when Arkansas and Ole Miss meet on the gridiron. Saturday was no different, as the backup quarterback for Ole Miss, Trindad Chambliss, got his first-ever start against  the Razorbacks on Saturday due to an injury to Austin Simmons. 

As we do every week, three takeaways combined with thoughts from the 41-35 win for the Rebels on Saturday. 

First, if something more serious were to happen to Austin Simmons this season, the Rebels are in capable hands with Trindad Chambliss. Chambliss led the Rebels with 353 yards through the air with a touchdown and no interceptions. Not bad for a guy against an SEC opponent in his first start as quarterback for the Rebels. His decision-making, combined with his football IQ, positioned the Rebels to capitalize on scoring opportunities by picking apart the Arkansas secondary, providing the Rebel Nation with a shot in the arm and boosting the confidence of the already well-oiled Lane Kiffin offensive unit. Not only did Chambliss do it through the air, but he led the Rebels in rushing as well with 62 yards and two touchdowns. 

Second, it’s still rather early in the season, but the growing optimism surrounding the wide receiver room for Ole Miss seems to be justified. Behind every great quarterback play is a group of wide receivers who make his job look easy. Combining for 357 yards, two touchdowns, and Harrison Wallace leading the way with 92 yards of his own. Again, it’s early and only time will tell when they face the likes of Georgia and LSU, but the Ole Miss receiver group of 2025 is already well on its way to being one of the best in the history of the program. 

Lastly, now that Ole Miss is 3-0, the journey doesn’t stop as they now face the Louisiana challenge with home games against two College Football Playoff hopefuls in Tulane and LSU. Although Arkansas is a formidable foe, they aren’t a College Football Playoff contender. Tulane and LSU both have quality wins, with good coaching and talented rosters to work with, as they head to Vaught-Hemingway Stadium to take on the Rebels. Two wins over Tulane and LSU, and the conversation for Ole Miss shifts from being a fringe College Football Playoff hopeful to a frontrunner in control of its own destiny. 

Ole Miss will welcome Tulane to Vaught Hemingway on Saturday afternoon with a national television audience on ESPN at 2:30. 

Photo Credits- Ole Miss Football on X