Good morning, Everydayers. We’re five days out from kickoff at Vanderbilt (Saturday, 2:30 p.m. CT on ESPN), and No. 9 Ole Miss is using the bye to reset at 3-1 before the schedule turns brutal — Texas, Georgia and Auburn all loom inside the next five weeks. Off the field, the biggest Rebel news in years dropped over the weekend. Here’s everything you need to start your Monday. Hotty Toddy.
On the Latest Locked On Ole Miss
On Friday’s episode, Steven zeroed in on what the bye week is really for: the gauntlet ahead. October closes at No. 1 Texas (Oct. 24) and November opens with No. 2 Georgia in Oxford (Nov. 7), with only Auburn in between — and he believes this team can win them all. “This is the last uninterrupted practice block before a stretch that decides whether this is a playoff team or an 8-4 team,” he said. On Vanderbilt: the Commodores are 3-1 but unranked, their signature NC State win ended on a last-play fumble, and the real test is a five-star true-freshman quarterback — so the plan is to send pressure, not drop eight.
Ole Miss leaves Nike for Adidas in landmark apparel deal
Fri., Oct. 2. Ole Miss is leaving Nike after nearly three decades, finalizing a seven-year apparel partnership with Adidas worth more than $20 million annually — north of $140 million in total — that begins when the current Nike contract expires in June 2027. Per the report, the school keeps creative control over what Adidas produces. (On3)
Rebels hold at No. 9 in the AP Top 25 after the bye
Sun., Oct. 4 · last 24 hours. Ole Miss held firm at No. 9 in the AP Top 25 coming out of its bye week and nudged up a spot in the Coaches Poll. It’s tight down there: the Rebels sit just nine points ahead of No. 10 LSU, with Texas Tech lurking only 49 points back. Nine SEC teams made the poll. (The Rebel Walk)
Vanderbilt kickoff set for 2:30 CT on ESPN
Mon., Sep. 28. Mark it down: Ole Miss at Vanderbilt kicks off Saturday, Oct. 10 at 2:30 p.m. CT on ESPN inside First Bank Stadium in Nashville. It’s the Rebels’ first game back from the bye and the opener of a demanding October that only gets tougher from there. (Ole Miss Athletics)
Bye-week report card: Chambliss shines, secondary struggles
Sat., Oct. 3 · last 48 hours. The Dispatch handed out bye-week grades, and the split is stark. Trinidad Chambliss drew an A, ranking fifth nationally in total offense at 332.5 yards per game with 12 total touchdowns. The secondary earned a D, dragged down by the nation’s third-worst tackling mark — 62 missed tackles on the year. (The Dispatch)
Golding’s defense vows more “violence” out of the bye
Wed., Sep. 30. Pete Golding’s crew used the open week for an honest self-audit. Patrick Kutas urged the room to “be real honest with yourself” and study the tape, while Will Echoles diagnosed the Florida defense bluntly — “lack of violence” — pledging more physicality and far fewer missed tackles down the stretch. (Ole Miss Athletics)
Men’s Basketball
Chris Beard finalizes his 2026-27 staff
Thu., Oct. 1. Chris Beard enters year four with his bench set. Holdovers Al Pinkins, Mark Adams and Matthew Winsberg return, joined by newcomers Petar Aleksić and Anthony Fobb, while Matt Eisele adds recruiting-coordinator duties. GM Brian Burg and strength coach John Reilly anchor a deep, experienced support staff. (Ole Miss Athletics)
Hoops holds open practice in Columbus tonight
Fri., Oct. 2. The team takes it to the fans: Ole Miss holds an open practice Monday, Oct. 5 at 6:30 p.m. CT at the Air Force base in Columbus, with a meet-and-greet to follow. It’s the first of four in-state stops, with December dates set for Biloxi, Jackson and Southaven. (Ole Miss Athletics)
Baseball
Fall reset: a loaded roster takes shape for 2027
Sun., Oct. 4 · last 24 hours. Fall ball is underway, and the 2027 roster looks stacked. Ace Hunter Elliott returns after leading the team in innings (85) and strikeouts (111), with sluggers Judd Utermark (22 homers) and Dom Decker back in the lineup. Transfers Mavrick Rizy and Caleb Koskie headline the newcomers. (Yardbarker)
Women’s Sports
Volleyball stays unbeaten in SEC play, tops Missouri
Fri., Oct. 2. The Rebels keep rolling in league play, topping Missouri 3-1 (25-20, 25-22, 20-25, 25-20) on the road to improve to 8-5, 2-0 in the SEC. Jorda Crook and Melia Johnson paced the attack with 13 kills apiece, and Crook notched the 1,000th kill of her career. (Ole Miss Athletics)
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