Sunday, September 6, at 7:30 PM EST, it’s the Liberty Mutual Music City Kickoff (on ABC). Both teams enter with major early-season stakes in their 2026 campaigns.
Lincoln Kienholz (photo courtesy Eric Crawford on Facebook)
Following the departure of 2025 Louisville quarterback Miller Moss to the Chicago Bears, Ohio State transfer Lincoln Kienholz takes over at quarterback. A former four-star recruit, Kienholz threw for over 3,400 yards and 40 touchdowns in his senior high school season.
The Cardinals, fresh off a victory over national championship runner-up Miami, return two standout running backs, while the Rebels return ten starters as both teams chase a bigger stage after narrow misses in 2025.
The Cardinals’ ground game remains formidable, led by the tandem of Isaac Brown and Keyjuan Brown. Isaac Brown topped Louisville with 884 rushing yards and 7 touchdowns, an impressive feat despite receiving 64 fewer carries than in his 2024 freshman campaign. Keyjuan Brown proved equally dangerous, racking up 704 yards and 6 touchdowns on 96 carries, averaging an explosive 7.3 yards per rush.
While Moss, Brown, and Brown benefited from a veteran offensive line in 2025 that allowed only 21 sacks, the 2026 squad faces a transition. Kienholz, joined by the Brown duo and wide receiver Dacari Collins (6’4”, 215 lbs, 974 yards, 6 TDs), will line up behind a revamped offensive front, while the defense is anchored by lineman Clev Lubin, who tallied 59 tackles and 8.5 sacks last season.
Trinidad Chambliss of the Ole Miss Rebels (photo courtesy Augusta Press)
Every new season brings the promise of unfinished business. For Ole Miss, that motivation starts with returning quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, who posted 3,937 passing yards, 22 touchdowns, and 527 rushing yards with 8 touchdowns, despite enduring 14 sacks. He’ll look to lead a potent attack alongside Doak Walker finalist running back Kewan Lacy, who amassed 1,567 rushing yards and 24 touchdowns on a 5.1-yard average.
On the other side of the ball, the Rebels’ defense is anchored by a pair of formidable linebackers: TJ Dottery (98 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles) and Suntarine Perkins (81 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 5 pass deflections, 3 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries), giving the Rebels a clear path to contend again.
