Photo credits: Ole Miss athletics
USA Today has released their top 25 preseason Coaches Poll, and first year head coach Pete Golding and Ole Miss find themselves ranked at No. 10.
Although the preseason polls usually mean zero to nothing after the first couple of weeks of the college football season, the rankings give a indication on roster change, returns, and staff based on the offseason.
The Rebels started the season ranked No.21 last season, and found themselves amongst the final four teams competing for a National Championship.
Pete Golding enters his first full season as head coach in Oxford, having a successful offseason retaining key pieces such as quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, running back Kewan Lacy, wide receiver Deuce Alexander, defensive lineman Will Echoles, and EDGE rusher Suntarine Perkins.
The Ole Miss offensive group now led by new offensive coordinator John David Baker had some work to do in the transfer portal, with four receivers hauling in more than 600 yards last season no longer with the program, and losing two starting offensive lineman to the NFL.
A haul in this department will have its questions marks, but, the highly touted backfield for the Rebels will cause problems for any opposing defense.
Pete Golding and staff upgraded the defense at every level in the transfer portal, and with a collection of outstanding freshman also making great noise, this could be a Ole Miss defense that ranks amongst some of the best throughout the season.
The Rebels will face off against against five teams this season also inside the preseason top 25 including: Georgia (3), Texas (4), Oklahoma (9), LSU (13), and Missouri (25).