Before winter break began, the Rebels were a perfect 6-0 after a dominant win against North Carolina State, and the Rebels’ run did not stop there. The team advanced to 13-0, including a win over an exceptional Memphis team, which could prove crucial in postseason discussions.
However, the new year brought new challenges with the arrival of conference play. Ole Miss, one of the last three undefeated teams in the country, faced No. 5 Tennessee in its conference opener on Jan. 4. A road game in Knoxville proved to be a tough task, and the crowd of over 20,000 fans gave the Vols a significant edge.