Where Does Ole Miss Fall in Latest SEC Preseason Power Rankings?

How do the Ole Miss Rebels stack up to the rest of their conference ahead of SEC Media Days?

OXFORD, Miss. -- The 2023 Southeastern Conference Media Days begin on Monday, and upon the event's conclusion, the league will release its official preseason conference poll and order of finish predictions. Until then, however, we must continue to examine other power rankings released by media outlets. 

247Sports released its updated SEC power rankings heading into media days on Thursday and the Ole Miss Rebels earned the No. 6 spot among the top half of conference teams.

The Rebels were ranked right behind the Texas A&M Aggies (No. 5), and interestingly, the LSU Tigers were rated as the second-best team in the SEC ahead of the Alabama Crimson Tide (No. 3). 

Here is the explanation for Ole Miss being rated sixth in the conference.

6. OLE MISS REBELS

Lane Kiffin hopes to have pressed all the right buttons during a crazy-busy portal offseason at Ole Miss. The Rebels plucked several expected starters as transfers and also welcome back Quinshon Judkins, the SEC's leading rusher last fall. New defensive coordinator Pete Golding has an opportunity to repair his name a bit after last year's disappointing performance with Alabama with marginal improvements in Oxford. Kiffin is just asking for a couple more stops every Saturday, giving more chances for his side of the football to go to work. Ole Miss could finish in the SEC's top-tier if Jaxson Dart is a difference-maker at quarterback.

Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin was busy in the NCAA Transfer Portal this offseason searching for players who could help push the needle forward for the Rebels. Kiffin recruited 25 commits this offseason who make up a top 10 transfer class in the country.

Ole Miss running back Quinshon Judkins returns for his sophomore campaign after leading the SEC in carries (274), rushing yards (1,567), and rushing touchdowns (16) as a true freshman in 2022. The Rebels - without question - have the best tailback in the SEC this fall.

The only question about the Rebels' offense this fall is the quarterback situation. Kiffin brought in former transfer quarterbacks Spencer Sanders (Oklahoma State) and Walker Howard (LSU) to compete for the starting position with returning starter Jaxson Dart. Throughout spring practices, Dart looked like the best passer of the bunch, and if that momentum continues into fall camp, he likely will be named QB1 for the second consecutive season.

While there is little doubt that Ole Miss' offense will produce in 2023, it's the defense that could take time to warm up. Pete Golding assumed command of the Ole Miss defense this offseason after serving as Alabama's defensive coordinator for the last five years. Everything might not gel immediately on the defensive side of the ball for the Rebels, but Golding could turn this unit into one of the better defenses in the SEC if the players buy into him and his scheme.

The updated power rankings can be found below.

1. Georgia Bulldogs

2. LSU Tigers

3. Alabama Crimson Tide

4. Tennessee Volunteers

5. Texas A&M Aggies 

6. Ole Miss Rebels 

7. South Carolina Gamecocks

8. Kentucky Wildcats

9. Arkansas Razorbacks

10. Mississippi State Bulldogs

11. Missouri Tigers

12. Auburn Tigers 

13. Florida Gators

14. Vanderbilt Commodores

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You can follow Ben King on Twitter at @BKing_2023.

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