What Is 2008 Ole Miss Rebels football

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2008 Ole Miss Rebels football team, coached by Houston Nutt, finished with a 9-4 record, including a win in the Cotton Bowl over Oklahoma State. They started the season 6-0, reaching No. 3 in the AP Poll, their highest ranking since 1970. The team played in the SEC West Division and finished 4-4 in conference play.

Key Facts

The 2008 Ole Miss Rebels finished with a 9-4 overall record and 4-4 in the SEC.
Head coach Houston Nutt led the team to its first Cotton Bowl victory since 1970.
Ole Miss started the season 6-0 and climbed to No. 3 in the AP Poll in October 2008.
Quarterback Jevan Snead threw for 2,688 yards and 18 touchdowns during the season.
The Rebels defeated Oklahoma State 21-7 in the 2009 Cotton Bowl Classic.

Overview

The 2008 Ole Miss Rebels football team represented the University of Mississippi in the NCAA Division I FBS football season. Under first-year head coach Houston Nutt, the team achieved one of its most surprising and successful seasons in over a decade. After a 3-9 record in 2007, the Rebels dramatically improved, capturing national attention with a fast start.

Playing in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) West Division, Ole Miss exceeded expectations by winning nine games and securing a berth in the Cotton Bowl. The team's rise was fueled by a balanced offense and a revitalized defense. Their performance marked a turning point in the program's modern era, re-establishing competitiveness in the tough SEC landscape.

Started 6-0: The Rebels opened the season with six consecutive wins, defeating teams like Florida and LSU, both ranked in the top 10 at the time, marking their best start since 1959.
AP Poll peak: Ole Miss reached No. 3 in the AP Poll in October 2008, their highest ranking since 1970, reflecting their national prominence.
Quarterback leadership:Jevan Snead led the offense with 2,688 passing yards and 18 touchdowns, earning second-team All-SEC honors.
Defensive turnaround: The defense improved from 98th nationally in total defense in 2007 to 45th in 2008, allowing just 20.8 points per game.
Cotton Bowl victory: Ole Miss defeated Oklahoma State 21-7 in the 2009 Cotton Bowl Classic, marking their first bowl win since 2004 and first Cotton Bowl win since 1970.

Season Performance & Key Games

The 2008 campaign featured several pivotal moments that defined the Rebels’ resurgence. After a dominant start, the team faced a mid-season slump in SEC play but rebounded to secure a winning record and bowl eligibility. Their non-conference and conference wins showcased both offensive firepower and defensive resilience.

Florida upset: In Week 3, Ole Miss defeated No. 8 Florida 31-30 in Oxford, snapping a 10-game losing streak to the Gators and announcing their arrival as a contender.
LSU victory: A 30-17 win over No. 5 LSU in Baton Rouge was a signature moment, marking their first win in Death Valley since 1972.
Alabama loss: The Rebels fell to No. 1 Alabama 22-3 in October, a game that exposed offensive limitations against elite defenses.
Arkansas rivalry: Ole Miss lost to Arkansas 21-7 in the regular-season finale, a setback that prevented a better bowl placement.
Bowl game success: Their 21-7 win over Oklahoma State in the Cotton Bowl was powered by a strong ground game and defensive dominance, finishing the season on a high note.

Comparison at a Glance

The 2008 season represented a stark improvement over recent years. A comparison with the 2007 and 2009 seasons highlights the team's progress and consistency.

Season	Overall Record	SEC Record	Final AP Rank	Bowl Result
2007	3-9	1-7	NR	No bowl
2008	9-4	4-4	No. 21	W, Cotton Bowl 21-7
2009	9-4	4-4	No. 23	W, Cotton Bowl 20-17
2006	4-8	2-6	NR	No bowl
2005	3-8	1-7	NR	No bowl

The table shows how the 2008 season marked a turning point: from a non-bowl team in 2007 to a top-25 finisher with a major bowl win. The success carried into 2009, proving 2008 wasn’t a fluke. Improved recruiting, coaching stability, and quarterback development were key drivers.

Why It Matters

The 2008 Ole Miss Rebels season was a landmark year that revitalized the program and set a new standard for competitiveness in the SEC. It demonstrated that sustained improvement was possible after years of mediocrity, energizing the fanbase and recruiting efforts.

Recruiting boost: The success led to Ole Miss signing a top-25 recruiting class in 2009, including future NFL players like Michael Oher and Greg Hardy.
Coach Nutt’s impact: Houston Nutt’s arrival brought immediate results, earning him SEC Coach of the Year consideration and restoring credibility.
Program momentum: The back-to-back Cotton Bowl wins in 2008 and 2009 marked the first time Ole Miss had consecutive bowl victories since 1960–61.
National relevance: The No. 3 ranking briefly returned Ole Miss to the national spotlight, increasing TV exposure and media coverage.
Stadium atmosphere: Attendance at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium increased by 12% from 2007, reflecting renewed fan enthusiasm.
Legacy impact: The 2008 season is still cited as a turning point, paving the way for future competitiveness under Nutt and later coaches.

The 2008 Ole Miss Rebels season remains a benchmark for what the program can achieve with strong leadership and player development. It proved that even in the powerhouse SEC, turnaround stories are possible with the right formula.