Ole Miss and the University of Pittsburgh (Pitt) are finalizing a home-and-home football series that promises exciting matchups and a rare cross-regional rivalry. The series is set to begin with Ole Miss hosting Pitt at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Mississippi, on September 5, 2026, which will also serve as the season opener for both programs.
The return game is expected to take place in Pittsburgh at Acrisure Stadium during the 2030 season. The lack of the date for the 2030 game seems to be the hold up on the official announcement.
This upcoming series builds on the programs’ only previous meeting, a 38-17 victory for Ole Miss in the 2013 BBVA Compass Bowl. The home-and-home arrangement offers both teams a chance to showcase their programs in a unique setting, with Ole Miss stepping outside the traditional SEC schedule to face an Atlantic Coast Conference opponent.
The addition of this series comes as the Southeastern Conference moves to a nine-game conference schedule in 2026, requiring teams to play at least one non-league power-conference opponent annually. For Ole Miss, this means their 2026 schedule will now feature three non-conference games, including road games against Charlotte and hosting Wofford alongside the Pitt opener.
The deal also complements Pitt’s aggressive 2026 non-conference slate, which already includes matchups against UCF and Wisconsin. The Panthers' athletic director, Allen Greene, who has prior ties to Ole Miss, has been instrumental in facilitating the agreement.
Fans on both sides eagerly anticipate these contests, as they provide compelling opportunities to evaluate the teams beyond their usual conference play. For Ole Miss, the 2026 opener against Pitt sets a strong tone for the season under head coach Lane Kiffin, while Pitt aims to build off its promising performances under Pat Narduzzi.
The lack of an official announcement led to a funny moment in Kiffin's weekly press conference as he was asked about it by a reporter. He was unclear if he was allowed to comment on it or not, but stated that it would be an "exciting matchup"
With the official announcement expected soon, this home-and-home series adds an intriguing element to college football’s evolving landscape, bridging regions and offering fresh, high-stakes competition for both programs in the coming years.