If No. 21 Ole Miss is going to make a run at the College Football Playoffs avoid obstacles like a loss to Georgia State on Saturday is the first step.

This weekend’s season opener is a first-time meeting between the two programs and the Rebels are looking to win its fifth consecutive season opener. Sixth-year head coach Lane Kiffin is 4-1 in these games through his first five years in Oxford.

Saturday’s game also marks the Austin Simmons era as the redshirt sophomore quarterback takes over for former three-year starter Jaxson Dart who has moved on to the NFL.

The Rebels are currently a 34.5-point favorite over the Panthers, according to BetMGM. The line had shifted three more points towards Georgia State from earlier this week after it opened at 39.5 earlier this Summer.

Ole Miss Football vs. Georgia State Game Info

Teams: No. 21 Ole Miss (0-0) vs. Georgia State (0-0)

Date: August 30, 2025

Location: Vaught-Hemingway Stadium at Oxford, Miss.

Time: 6:45 p.m. CT

Television: SEC Network (Tom Hart, Jordan Rodgers, Cole Cubelic)

Fun Facts

— This game will kick off the 131st season of Rebels football

— Kiffin’s current record is 44-18 and ties David Cutcliffe for third on the program’s all-time wins list

— Since the start of the 2020 season the Rebels lead all FBS teams at 504.5 yards per game

— The entire coaching staff returns with new additions Joe Judge (QBs) and Chris Kiffin (LBs)

The Rebel Grove’s Georgia State Week Coverage

The Austin Simmons era officially starts this weekend for Ole Miss

Lane Kiffin hopes for improved Ole Miss run game: ‘That’s been a really big emphasis’

Talk of Champions: Week 1 bets with Barstool’s Ben Mintz + Ole Miss football arrives

COLUMN: Lots of questions surround the 2025 Ole Miss football team

Georgia State coach Dell McGee knows challenge ahead in ‘perennial power’ Ole Miss