Ole Miss vs. Tulane live score, updates, highlights from 2025 College Football Playoff first round

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The Ole Miss Rebels recently achieved a major milestone, concluding the regular season with the program's first-ever 11-win season — a triumph secured by a hard-fought victory over arch-rival Mississippi State in the annual Egg Bowl. Head coach Lane Kiffin, celebrated for injecting explosive offensive talent and a fresh identity into the team, was the architect of this historic accomplishment. This win not only cemented Kiffin's legacy as a successful builder in Oxford but also served as the final chapter of one of the most successful tenures in the school's history.

However, the euphoria quickly gave way to dramatic upheaval. In a sudden and highly unexpected move that stunned the college football world, Kiffin departed Ole Miss for the LSU head coaching job, taking several key members of his coaching staff with him. This seismic shift occurred mere weeks before the Rebels are scheduled to compete in their first-ever College Football Playoff game, plunging the program into a frantic state of transition. The focus immediately turned from celebrating a historic season to stabilizing the team amid this crucial juncture.

Consequently, it will be under new permanent head coach Pete Golding that the No. 6 Rebels take the field this Saturday in Oxford when they host No. 11 Tulane. Golding, who was quickly promoted from defensive coordinator to the top role, will lead Ole Miss for the first time as they face the Green Wave in the opening round of the 2025 College Football Playoff. The highly-anticipated matchup against a formidable opponent will test the team’s resilience and focus, marking the beginning of a new, unexpected era for Ole Miss football in the highest-stakes game of its existence.

On the other side, the Green Wave are led by head coach Jon Sumrall, who will leave the team after the postseason to become the new head coach at Florida, another job Kiffin was rumored to be in the running for; unlike the LSU coach, Sumrall is allowed to coach his team to finish out the season. Tulane finished the regular season 11-2, destroying North Texas in the American Conference championship.

Throughout the season, Ole Miss was one of the best teams in college football, with an electric offense led by Trinidad Chambliss and Kewan Lacy. But, without their head coach, how will the Rebels respond?

STREAM: Watch Ole Miss vs. Tulane live with DirecTV

Ole Miss vs. Tulane football score

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Ole Miss vs. Tulane live updates, highlights from 2025 College Football Playoff

2:11 p.m.:  Ole Miss returns to Vaught Hemingway Stadium for the first time since November 15, when they beat Florida.

Here come the Rebs.#CFBplayoff x #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/bhvkFRbR9G

— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) December 20, 2025

2:06 p.m.:  The Tulane Green Wave have arrived.

The Wave is in the building! 🌊#RollWave x @RousesMarkets pic.twitter.com/LI0UAIXiOE

— Tulane Football (@GreenWaveFB) December 20, 2025

The Green Wave would pull off the biggest upset in College Football Playoff history with a win. 

1:55 p.m.:  Though he's not coaching, Kiffin is still backing the Rebels, especially his quarterback Trinidad Chambliss.

Facts!!! 🇹🇹 https://t.co/oR86nxajCQ

— Lane Kiffin (@Lane_Kiffin) December 20, 2025

Chambliss has 3,016 passing yards, 18 touchdowns and three interceptions since taking over for Austin Simmons in the middle of the season. 

1:11 p.m.:  The Ole Miss faithful won't hold back words when it comes to their former head coach.

The Christmas spirit is alive and well at Ole Miss 😅

(via @DanWolken) pic.twitter.com/lMbnOQJn5W

— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) December 20, 2025

1:10 p.m.:  In a few hours, Ole Miss will take the field for the first time post-Lane Kiffin.

CFB football in Oxford is just right. #CFBPlayoff x #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/nT5avnOL6R

— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) December 20, 2025

The Rebels enter today's game as a massive favorite, having already beaten Tulane in Oxford this season. 

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• Meet the broadcast teams for 2025 CFP games

How to watch Ole Miss vs. Tulane

Ole Miss vs. Tulane start time

• Date:  December 20, 2025
• Time: 3:30 p.m. ET

Tulane and Ole Miss will kick off at 3:30 p.m. On Saturday from Vaught Hemingway Stadium. This will be the second time the two play this season in Oxford, with Ole Miss taking the first game 45-10.

What channel is Ole Miss vs. Tulane on today?

• TV Channel:  TNT, truTV
• Streaming: HBO Max, DirecTV

The College Football Playoff First Round broadcast is being presented across several Turner Sports (TNT Sports) networks, a sublicense partner of ESPN. In addition to the primary coverage on TNT, the Ole Miss vs. Tulane matchup is also being simulcast on truTV for wider accessibility. 

For viewers looking to stream the game, the options listed — HBO Max and DirecTV — provide the full live broadcast. Subscriptions to DirecTV (or DirecTV Stream) that include the channel package with TNT will allow you to watch the game on your TV or through the DirecTV app. Furthermore, the entire live broadcast is being made available to stream on HBO Max, the streaming service now under the same parent company as TNT and truTV.

College Football Playoff schedule 2025