The Ole Miss football team picked up a big win against LSU football last weekend that moved the Rebels up to #16 in the AP Poll, and it improved their record to 4-1. Ever since Lane Kiffin took over as head coach of this Ole Miss team, the Rebels have been right on the cusp of competing for SEC titles and College Football Playoff appearances, but they haven't been able to get over the hump. That win on Saturday could go a long way in helping Ole Miss taking the next step, but it is difficult as the Rebels don't have some of the same resources that bigger SEC schools have.

“Depends on which day,” Lane Kiffin said when asked what Ole Miss football needs that other SEC teams already have, according to an article from On3. “Like Saturday, a better defense. The previous Saturday a better offense. No, it’s exciting what’s going on here. I think you’re seeing players from around the country come here and the (transfer) portal has changed college football.”

Article Continues Below
More NCAA Football News
Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Gunner Stockton (14) runs with the ball during the second half against Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Gi'Bran Payne (3) at Caesars Superdome.
Georgia hits new 2026 recruiting claim after landing No. 1 DLLorenzo J Reyna ·
Oklahoma coach Brent Venables walks off the field after the Armed Forces Bowl football game between he University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Navy Midshipmen at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas, Friday, Dec. 27, 2024. Navy won 21-20.
Oklahoma beats out Deion Sanders, Colorado for 4-starLorenzo J Reyna ·
Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) throws during the Crimson Combine at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.
Oklahoma football’s John Mateer takes extreme measure to prepare for first season with SoonersPreston Byers ·
Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel during the Orange & White spring game in Neyland Stadium.
Tennessee football laps SEC rivals on recruiting scene with pair of key commitmentsBenjamin Adducchio ·
Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik (2) runs to the outdoor fields with teammates and coaches during Spring Practice in Clemson, S.C. Monday, March 24, 2025.
Clemson football’s Cade Klubnik reflects on return to Manning Passing AcademyJaren Kawada ·
Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson (15) makes a throw during warmups before a game against the Missouri Tigers at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Ty Simpson gets real on why he ‘couldn’t leave’ Alabama footballJaren Kawada ·

Kiffin is right about that, the portal has certainly added another element to the game. Ole Miss has taken advantage of it, and Kiffin thinks that has helped the program a lot.

“In my opinion I think that it has made this easier to be successful at here.” Kiffin continued. “It has not been a place, over the course of time, to always get the five-star players, like some of the others in the conference. So to be able to have a free-agency way when the others guys are kind of drafting first has been able to help us.”

Perhaps the portal can be the thing that gets Ole Miss over the hump. Besides a road game at Georgia, the schedule lines up nicely the rest of the way for the Rebels. Perhaps this is the year that Ole Miss gets to the SEC title game.