The 2018 Ole Miss Rebels football team represented the University of Mississippi in the 2018 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Rebels played their home games at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Mississippi and competed in the Western Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). They were led by second-year head coach Matt Luke. They finished the season 5–7, 1–7 in SEC play to finish in sixth place in the Western Division.
On December 1, 2017, the University of Mississippi was dealt multiple sanctions by the NCAA, including a two-year postseason ban. As Ole Miss already self-imposed a post-season ban during the 2017 season, 2018 will be the last season without post-season play due to the sanctions. On February 5, 2018, the university submitted a written appeal to the NCAA regarding the penalties, stating: “This Committee should vacate and reverse the penalties and factual findings, because the COI (Committee of Infractions) abused its discretion, departed from precedent, committed procedural errors, and reached factual conclusions inconsistent with the evidence.”
Preseason
Award watch lists Listed in the order that they were released Rimington TrophySean RawlingsCSRMaxwell AwardA. J. BrownWRJRFred Biletnikoff AwardA. J. BrownWRJRJohn Mackey AwardDawson KnoxTEJROutland TrophyGreg LittleOLJRWuerffel TrophyJavon PattersonOLSRWalter Camp AwardA. J. BrownWRJRJohnny Unitas Golden Arm AwardJordan Ta'amuQBSRPolynesian College Football Player of the YearJordan Ta'amuQBSREarl Campbell Tyler Rose AwardGreg LittleOLJR
SEC media poll The SEC media poll was released on July 20, 2018, with the Rebels predicted to finish in sixth place.
Preseason All-SEC teams The Rebels had three players selected to the preseason all-SEC teams.
Offense
1st team
A. J. Brown – WR
Greg Little – OL
3rd team
Javon Patterson – OL
Recruiting The Rebels’ 2018 recruiting class was ranked 32nd in the nation and 10th in the SEC by 247Sports.
Schedule Ole Miss announced its 2018 football schedule on September 19, 2017. The 2018 schedule consists of 7 home and 5 away games in the regular season. The Rebels will host SEC foes Alabama, Auburn, South Carolina, and Mississippi State, and will travel to LSU, Arkansas (game played in Little Rock), Texas A&M, and Vanderbilt.
The Rebels will be hosting three of their four non-conference opponents, hosting Southern Illinois (FCS), Kent State from the Mid-American Conference, Louisiana–Monroe from the Sun Belt Conference, and will then travel to Houston for their neutral site season opener against Texas Tech from the Big 12 Conference, which is the 2018 edition of the AdvoCare Texas Kickoff.
Schedule source:
Personnel
Coaching staff Name Position Year at Ole Miss Alma mater (Year)Matt LukeHead Coach2ndOle Miss (2000)Wesley McGriffAssociate head coach/co-defensive coordinator/linebackers2ndSavannah State (1990)Phil LongoOffensive coordinator/quarterbacks2ndRowan University (1992)Jason JonesCo-defensive coordinator/safeties6thAlabama (2001)Jack Bicknell Jr.Offensive line2ndBoston College (1985)Maurice HarrisTight ends/recruiting coordinator7thArkansas State (1998)Jacob PeelerWide receivers2ndLouisiana Tech (2007)Derrick NixRunning backs11thSouthern Miss (2002)Jon SumrallLinebackers1stKentucky (2004) Freddie Roach Defensive line2ndAlabama (2008)Charles ClarkCornerbacks1stOle Miss (2007)
Game summaries
Vs. Texas Tech (Texas Kickoff)
Southern Illinois
No. 1 Alabama
Kent State
At No. 5 LSU
Louisiana-Monroe
At Arkansas
Auburn
South Carolina
At Texas A&M
At Vanderbilt
No. 18 Mississippi State
Players drafted into the NFL
Ole Miss had six players selected in the 2019 NFL draft.
2 37 Greg Little OT Carolina Panthers 2 51 A. J. Brown WR Tennessee Titans 2 64 DK Metcalf WR Seattle Seahawks 3 96 Dawson Knox TE Buffalo Bills 7 246 Javon Patterson C Indianapolis Colts 7 252 Ken Webster CB New England Patriots
See also 2017–18 Ole Miss Rebels men's basketball team 2017–18 Ole Miss Rebels women's basketball team 2018 Ole Miss Rebels baseball team
References
External links Season summary at Sports Reference