Before the season began, Ole Miss was regarded as a major contender, primarily because the Rebels had achieved three consecutive top-two finishes in transfer portal classes. They even concluded the season ranked as the No.

Ohio State coach Ryan Day spent the weekend celebrating the program's ninth national championship, a crowning achievement for a group that had operated like one of the best teams in the country all year and then played some of its best football in the biggest moments with a challenging run through the College Football Playoff.

Steve Sarkisian entered the SEC with a bang, and Paul Finebaum believes he could be next in line to win the national championship. He came close to winning the title several times but unfortunately exited the College Football Playoff before being able to do so.