If there’s one thing Lane Kiffin knows how to do, it’s keep things interesting. Whether he’s firing off tweets at rival coaches or scheming up offensive plays that would make a Madden player blush, the Ole Miss Rebels head coach is the kind of guy who thrives on proving people wrong. And as the 2024 season closed with the Rebels riding high after a Gator Bowl demolition of Duke, Kiffin seemed to be cooking up something for the future. That is until the reality of the offseason slapped him in the face harder than a cold soda in the Mississippi heat.

The Rebels finished 10-3, a respectable record that secured them a spot in the final Way-Too-Early Top 25 for 2025 by ESPN. Leading the parade was Ohio State (14-2). After winning the program’s third national championship since 2002, the Buckeyes are going to undergo a bit of a makeover — but so are most of the other Big Ten contenders. And to not sugarcoat it: cracking the rankings at No. 25 is like being invited to the party but being asked to sit by the door. A late-season loss to Florida derailed their SEC championship hopes, and now Ole Miss faces a significant rebuild. Chief among their concerns? The departures of star quarterback Jaxson Dart and wide receiver Jordan Watkins, along with a slew of other offensive playmakers and defensive stalwarts. For a program built on firepower, losing its key cogs is like a sports car losing its engine and spoiler.

Dart, the heart and soul of Ole Miss’ offense, won’t be easy to replace. He passed for over 3,000 yards and added mobility that kept defenses guessing. Behind him, Walker Howard and Austin Simmons are in line to compete for the starting job, with Simmons showing flashes of brilliance in limited action last season. But for all the optimism about the young lefty’s potential, stepping into Dart’s shoes is no small feat. Kiffin himself has acknowledged as much, doubling down on recruiting efforts to keep the quarterback room competitive. “The SEC isn’t a place for on-the-job training,” Kiffin quipped during his last media availability.

The skill positions have also taken a hit. With Watkins and other top targets moving on, Lane Kiffin has leaned heavily on the transfer portal, bringing in De’Zhaun Stribling from Oklahoma State, Deuce Alexander from Wake Forest, and Caleb Odom from Alabama. Stribling’s ability to stretch the field vertically and Alexander’s knack for finding soft spots in zone coverage could offer an immediate impact. Still, integrating new faces into the system quickly will be critical, especially with SEC defenses looming like storm clouds. It’s a high-risk, high-reward strategy, and it’s no secret Kiffin thrives on walking that tightrope.

Defensively, the departures might sting even more. The Rebels are set to lose key pass rushers like Princewill Umanmielen and Da’Shawn Womack, as well as linchpins in the secondary. “You don’t replace a guy like JJ Pegues—you just hope someone can fill 80% of his role,” a SEC analyst noted. To patch those holes, Ole Miss has looked to players like Nolen and a few JUCO standouts, but there’s no denying this group will have growing pains. Defensive coordinator Pete Golding’s ability to adapt his scheme to fit a less-experienced lineup will be a storyline worth watching.

For now, Kiffin and the Rebels are embracing their underdog status. “Let people doubt us,” Kiffin said earlier this week. “We’ll handle our business.” But handling their business in the SEC is a different animal altogether.

247Sports has a different view of Lane Kiffin and the Miss

There are some key returning players like QB Austin Simmons and WR Cayden Lee etc. Ole Miss made the cut in the latest 247Sports projections, but let’s just say they’re hanging out in the back of the Top 20. Ranked No. 19, the Rebels aren’t exactly leading the charge, but they’re still in the mix. Austin Simmons, the team’s new quarterback for 2025, adds an intriguing storyline. Simmons decided to walk away from baseball to focus solely on football, stepping into the spotlight as the facilitator of Ole Miss’ spread offense following Jaxson Dart’s exit.

It’s not shocking to see the Rebels just outside the Top 15. With a seasoned veteran like Dart heading to the NFL, there’s bound to be some skepticism about how the team will fare. Brett McMurphy’s ranking projections are even less generous, putting Ole Miss at No. 21. Clearly, there’s some doubt about whether Lane Kiffin’s crew can keep up their momentum into the 2025 season.

But let’s not forget: this is Lane Kiffin we’re talking about. The man practically lives in the transfer portal, and with months to go before the season kicks off, Ole Miss’ roster could see some significant upgrades. And Not to forget them breaking in a new quarterback.