Lane Kiffin’s Ole Miss Favored Over Alabama for SEC Title as Rebels’ 2024 Schedule Offers Potential Free Pass to Championship Game

Fans have for years viewed Ole Miss Rebels football as nothing other than the “little brother” team in the SEC. However, on the On3 podcast, analyst Dear Andy hints at Lane Kiffin’s program coming out of the shadows of surrounding powerhouses, particularly Kalen DeBoer’s Alabama Crimson Tide.

Per Andy, the lack of divisions in the SEC gets Alabama out of the Rebels’ annual schedule and makes Kiffin and the tribe’s path to the expanded playoffs much more viable. With this, the Rebels will get a free pass and sweep way through any hurdles that come their way.

Kiffin’s Ole Miss outranks Alabama in SEC odds

It’s no surprise that Kirby Smart’s Georgia Bulldogs is No. 1, but Andy’s analysis surprises many since it shows the Kiffin’s Rebels having an advantage over DeBoer’s program. Andy offers his detailed analysis highlighting the probabilities, “The Rebels are plus 650 to win the SEC that’s the third best odds. Georgia’s plus 185, Texas is plus 310 at FanDuel. Alabama is plus 950 like Old Miss has better odds to win the SEC than Alabama.” The analyst provided reasons Kiffin’s program has an advantage, delighting fans. He pointed out that here the plot twist is the schedule that will ensure that Ole Miss does not have to face Alabama. 

Andy put forward some interesting facts to give a clearer picture: “SEC schedules are not created equal. Ole Miss has one of the better draws in the new SEC so Miss’s toughest games are at LSU on October 12th, Oklahoma in Oxford on October 26th, Georgia in Oxford on November 9th. I think they got to beat Georgia to guarantee that they get into the SEC Championship game.” While the schedule works in favor of Kiffin, DeBoer is expected to face certain challenges in their SEC battle. 

Tough loss predicted?

DeBoer left his head coaching job with the Washington Huskies to take over as the head coach of the Crimson Tide following Nick Saban’s departure. Replacing someone as prominent as Saban, the new Alabama head coach must hope for the best. However, if things don’t go well on his first attempt, here are some worst-case scenarios. 

Alabama is going to make a statement in the debut of the DeBoer era; Western Kentucky will probably come out swinging. Alabama hosts the Georgia Bulldogs after going undefeated a quarter of the way through the season. Going by the predictions, it is highly likely that Smart’s Bulldogs will be winning against the Crimson Tide with a final score of 27-21, into the 2024 football season, leading to DeBoer and Co. falling at home for the first loss of the season by double digits.

Besides, Ole Miss’ 2024 slate is so favorable that Kiffin absolutely loaded up on veteran transfer talent. Other than the SEC title, the Rebels head coach has something more interesting to look forward to. It is none other than his quarterback, Jaxson Dart, owning the Heisman odds heading into the 2024 football season. Will Kiffin’s dark horse snatch the award away from Deion Sanders’ son, Shedeur?