How Ole Miss reclaimed its status with a historic 10-win season
In short: Entering 2024 with high expectations, the Ole Miss Rebels faced a rollercoaster season. From shocking home losses to record-breaking offensive performances, the Rebels fought to stay in the national conversation, ultimately securing a milestone achievement that hadn't been seen at the program in over six decades.
The 2024 Ole Miss Rebels season was defined by high stakes and significant shifts in the Southeastern Conference. Coming off a 2023 campaign where they finished ranked #9 and won the Peach Bowl, the Rebels entered the year as the #6 preseason favorite. Under fifth-year head coach Lane Kiffin, the team faced a challenging schedule that included new SEC members like Oklahoma, whom they hosted for the first time in program history.
The season was marked by dramatic fluctuations in momentum. After an early 4–0 start, the Rebels suffered a surprising 20–17 loss to unranked Kentucky and a 29–26 overtime defeat to #13 LSU. However, they rebounded with a dominant 63–31 victory over Arkansas. In that game, quarterback Jaxson Dart delivered a record-setting performance, throwing for 515 yards and six touchdowns—a feat that tied the school record for touchdown passes and helped the team reach 7–2.
A pivotal moment occurred in front of a record crowd of 68,126 at Vaught–Hemingway Stadium, where the Rebels defeated #3 Georgia 28–10. This victory, Kiffin's first Top 5 win as head coach, moved the team to #11 in the College Football Playoff rankings. While an upset by Florida prevented a playoff berth, the Rebels finished 10–3 after defeating Duke 52–20 in the Gator Bowl. This marked the first time since the 1959–1960 seasons that Ole Miss achieved back-to-back 10-win seasons.
Individual excellence also defined the year. Jaxson Dart became the winningest quarterback in program history and earned All-SEC First Team honors. The team's success also translated to professional prospects, with three Rebels selected in the 2024 NFL draft.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: 2024 Ole Miss Rebels football team
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