# Ole Miss vs Charlotte: three bold calls

> A No. 9 team, a beat-up backfield, and an opponent that just lost to an FCS school. Here's what tonight should look like.
- Title: Ole Miss vs Charlotte: three bold calls | Shortify
- Summary: A No. 9 team, a beat-up backfield, and an opponent that just lost to an FCS school. Here's what tonight should look like. Charlotte is a rest stop before the…
- Keywords: ole miss, college football, sec, trinidad chambliss, predictions, sports, Ole, Miss, Charlotte, three, bold, calls
- Source: Ole Miss Rebels On SI — https://si.com/college/olemiss/football/3-bold-predictions-for-ole-miss-against-charlotte
- Published: 2026-09-12T15:31:18+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: ole miss, college football, sec, trinidad chambliss, predictions, sports
## Rebels open at home
Ole Miss hosts Charlotte at 6:45 tonight, the first home game of the season, coming off a 41-38 win over Louisville.
## A tune-up, not a test
The game is a warm-up for the SEC schedule. Ole Miss wants it clean and quiet, with banged-up players like Kewan Lacy getting a breather.
## The mismatch on paper
Ole Miss sits at No. 9 in the AP poll after beating No. 24 Louisville. Charlotte is unranked and just lost to The Citadel, an FCS team.
## Starters out by the fourth
Prediction one: the talent gap builds a big early lead, and in a week where recovery matters, the first team does not stick around.

> I don't expect them to stay in for long.
## Protect the Heisman arm
Chambliss threw for nearly 400 yards and four touchdowns against Louisville. With Heisman talk building, meaningless reps are pure risk.

> he's going to need to stay healthy, and you can't secure that by playing nearly meaningless reps
## Backup backs get their shot
Prediction two: if Lacy is limited, transfers Makhi Frazier and JT Lindsey carry the load. Neither shone against Louisville, but Charlotte's defense is far softer.
## Young depth sees the field
Prediction three: with starters resting, the reserves finally play. Deuce Knight, Shekai Mills-Knight, Caleb Cunningham and Landon Barnes are all waiting.
## The only real question
Nobody doubts Ole Miss wins. What fans are watching for is which new faces get snaps and hint at next year's rotation.

> The only question is who all gets the chance to play tonight.
## Key takeaway

Charlotte is a rest stop before the SEC grind, so the story tonight is who plays after the starters sit, not the final score.