Ole Miss's 41-10 handling of Tulane in Oxford could turn out to be just a momentary relief for the Rebel Nation, as a catastrophic series of events could follow this week.
Pete Golding's squad is heading to New Orleans with high hopes to advance in the College Football Playoff bracket on New Year's.
There is a chance, however, that the Rebels' return to Oxford on the night of Jan. 1 could be with more than just one loss.
The first, quite predictable one, is a loss to Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. Of course, that would mean the end of its College Football Playoff run. But there is something worse that could go down, that might completely eclipse the hurt from a potential CFP loss.
Second loss: Transfer portal anxiety
This non-predictable loss will not just ruin the Rebs' CFP chance, but potentially, the whole of their 2026 season.
The transfer portal is expected to open just about when the Sugar Bowl will conclude.
Two of the biggest names in the SEC, Trinidad Chambliss and Kewan Lacy, are on top of the watchlist in this cycle.
Lacy's injury has definitely given him more time to make a decision. Plus, Ole Miss's RB coach, Kevin Smith, already signing up for LSU for 2026 is another major reason fueling Lacy's transfer portal rumors.
After his historic season, the RB will most certainly be a hot transfer portal commodity, and possibly one of the most expensive ones.
Report: Ole Miss running back Kewan Lacy is in the midst of a historic 2025 season after joining the program in Oxford last offseason.
— Ole Miss Rebels On SI (@OleMissOnSI) December 24, 2025
Ole Miss is reportedly offering a historic package to Lacy in hopes of securing his return, @1045espn reports.
More: https://t.co/v8dMPdWLxu pic.twitter.com/YxlbnrZEXK
If that was not enough tension for one day, there is also a chance that Trinidad Chambliss could follow Lacy to the transfer portal.
The Ferris State QB applied for a sixth-year extension waiver and is awaiting an update on it. If the NCAA were to grant his extension before the Sugar Bowl, the chances of him entering the transfer portal would skyrocket.
He would be an equally hot product in the market, of course.
And adding to all this craziness, if Lane Kiffin could get his hands on both of them—and you can bet he’s already making the calls—Baton Rouge is in for a New Year’s celebration unlike any other.
And a New Year's that Ole Miss will dread.