Bottom line
Ole Miss is the SEC’s top power row (#3 overall, 1.548) with a portal QB prior (Trinidad Chambliss). E[wins] 8.46 (band 7–10) ranks 12th — the SEC path taxes win totals more than the Independent / ACC slates above them.
The number
Research win band 7–10 (median 9, E[wins] 8.46). Power rank 3. Research only.
Quick projection
Offense 1.68 (highest among the top five) / defense 1.42. Bowl probability 0.979. Futures live on the futures artifact.
Roster snapshot
QB Trinidad Chambliss, portal, not open. Packaged SP+ 2025. Next: Week 1 vs Louisville, tagged neutral on the official slate.
What matters most
The offensive-index lead is the identity. If Week 1 vs Louisville is a defensive slog, the power rank can still hold; a multi-week offensive miss would not.
Schedule notes
Neutral-site Week 1 vs LOU is a Project Game row (neutral=1). Remaining SEC games are why this is not a 10-win prior.
Betting angles to track
Track the Louisville opener as a research-fair number, not a conference-title proxy. Season band 7–10 vs any posted win total — pass if the market sits inside the band.
What would change this view
Chambliss not starting; Week 1 injury; or a slate add that inserts another top-10 SEC road game.
Model note
KosEdge CFB Model · engine cfb-season-engine-v0.15-power-sot · N=10,000 · as_of 2026-08-31 · used_in_spread=false · KEI is a separate published line.