Flight Groundings Force Ole Miss Into Unusual Sunday Schedule
AI-generated image · US National Wire
The Ole Miss Rebels will face the Oklahoma Sooners on Sunday after extraordinary circumstances grounded flights across the U.S.
The Ole Miss Rebels are set to play the Oklahoma Sooners on Sunday following a series of travel disruptions, as Sports Illustrated first reported. According to the outlet, every plane in the United States was grounded due to "extraordinary circumstances," leaving the Rebels as the only team that had not yet flown. Sports Illustrated reports that the Rebels did not drive to Norman for undisclosed reasons.
In response, the SEC rescheduled the matchup from 4 p.m. ET Saturday to 1 p.m. ET Sunday. This shift means the Rebels will compete on a day typically reserved for the NFL and will enter the game with knowledge of every other important Saturday result.
Coming into the game, the Rebels hold the No. 19 spot in the College Football Playoff (CFP) rankings. Sports Illustrated notes the team is looking to recover from two blowout losses: a 52-28 defeat on the road against the Florida Gators and a 42-7 home loss to the No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs.
While the CFP may seem out of reach, Sports Illustrated suggests that the current season could see multiple three-loss teams enter the playoffs. The Rebels, led by Pete Golding and Co., aim to finish their season strongly, as winning high-stakes games against teams like the Sooners is considered crucial for their resume.