Ole Miss will host Tulane this Saturday in one of college football’s most intriguing Week 4 matchups. Both teams enter the contest with undefeated 3-0 records, but Ole Miss carries the momentum of emerging as a 12-point favorite in front of a home crowd charged to see Chambliss’ continued rise.
Chambliss, a transfer from Ferris State, earned the starting nod after leading the Rebels to a gritty 41-35 victory over Arkansas last week - Austin Simmons is also working his way back from an injury. In his SEC debut, he displayed surprising poise and athleticism, completing 21 of 29 passes for 353 yards and a score, while adding 62 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
His performance helped Ole Miss overcome adversity following the injury to primary starter Simmons, who remains sidelined with an ankle injury. Head coach Lane Kiffin has voiced strong confidence in Chambliss’ leadership and dynamic ability, describing him as having “the ‘it’ factor”.
Trinidad Chambliss will start for Ole Miss football against Tulane
Tulane, meanwhile, arrives in Oxford with an explosive offense led by transfer quarterback Jake Retzlaff and a reputation for forcing turnovers. The Green Wave claimed victories against Northwestern, Duke, and South Alabama, and they represent perhaps the Rebels’ toughest non-conference opponent yet. The Ole Miss defense will need to contend with Tulane’s balanced attack while leveraging Chambliss’ mobility and arm talent in a high-tempo, power-running offense spearheaded by running back Kewan Lacy.
Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET Saturday at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, with national eyes on Chambliss as he looks to cement his role and keep the Rebels’ perfect start intact. This game could prove critical for playoff aspirations and set the tone as Ole Miss readies for a tough SEC slate that is to come. If the Rebels are able to get through this one, it will set up an absolutely mega matchup next weekend in Oxford between Ole Miss and LSU.
Chambliss also has the opportunity to really put a claim on the QB job. It is being reported that Simmons is sitting out to rest his injured ankle. However, if Chambliss performs really well again, will Lane turn back to Simmons before the biggest matchup of the season? We'll find out soon enough, but first there's a big Week 4 tilt on the way.