SEC Power Rankings: Ole Miss Rebels Dragged Down By Strength of Schedule?
OXFORD, Miss. -- With just 36 days until the 2023 college football season begins, it is a great time to examine the latest Southeastern Conference Power Rankings that were released following the 2023 SEC Media Days.
On3 delivered a set of updated rankings for the SEC on Wednesday and the Ole Miss Rebels were rated No. 7 in the stacked conference. The Rebels are flanked by the Arkansas Razorbacks (No. 6) and Kentucky Wildcats (No. 7).
Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin improved his team this offseason by bringing in the No. 6 transfer portal class in the country and hiring former Alabama defensive coordinator Pete Golding to coach up a unit that surrendered an average of 35 points over the final seven games of the 2022 season.
The Rebels also return this fall with the reigning SEC Freshman of the Year, running back Quinshon Judkins. On paper, Ole Miss is better than it was a year ago, but will it be enough to tackle the toughest schedule in the SEC?
"Ole Miss brings back perhaps the top tailback in the country in Quinshon Judkins, and the roster looks totally different at OL, DL and DB thanks to Kiffin’s aggressiveness in the portal," On3 writes. "Jaxson Dart projects as Ole Miss’ QB1 and former Alabama DC Pete Golding was brought in to improve a defense that really struggled against top-fight competition last fall. The Rebels might be the quintessential team that is better than it was a year ago … only the record doesn’t equate because the schedule is harder."
Ole Miss opens conference play with a road game versus the Alabama Crimson Tide in Week 4, followed by consecutive home games against the LSU Tigers and Arkansas Razorbacks, respectively. The Rebels also take on the Georgia Bulldogs and Auburn Tigers on the road and have to finish their season with a trip to Starkville to battle the Mississippi State Bulldogs.
The updated SEC power rankings can be found below.
1. Georgia Bulldogs
2. Alabama Crimson Tide
3. LSU Tigers
4. Tennessee Volunteers
5. Texas A&M Aggies
6. Arkansas Razorbacks
7. Ole Miss Rebels
8. Kentucky Wildcats
9. South Carolina Gamecocks
10. Auburn Tigers
11. Mississippi State Bulldogs
12. Florida Gators
13. Missouri Tigers
14. Vanderbilt Commodores
You can follow Ben King on Twitter at @BKing_2023.
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