Ole Miss entered the 2024 season with high expectations, aiming for a national title with their No. 6 preseason ranking. With star quarterback Jaxson Dart returning and key additions like Caden Prieskorn and defensive standouts Walter Nolen and Princely Umanmielen, the Rebels were poised for a deep run. However, at 5-2 after seven games, losses to Kentucky and LSU have derailed those championship hopes.
While the team still boasts a talented roster, their playoff chances now hang by a thread. With Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Georgia looming on the schedule, even a single additional loss would likely seal their fate, knocking them out of College Football Playoff contention. The Rebels must regroup quickly to salvage their season and keep their slim playoff hopes alive.
Jaxson Dart & Caden Prieskorn & Walker Howard went straight to the casino during the rebels bye week pic.twitter.com/DIp5AQRBgy
— College Football Headlines (@CFBHeadlines) October 18, 2024
Ole Miss Stars Spotted Flaunting Cash Outside Casino During Bye Week
The decision by Jaxson Dart, Caden Prieskorn, and Walker Howard to spend their bye week at a casino has raised eyebrows, especially given the dire situation Ole Miss faces this season. While the activity itself isn’t problematic—considering they’re of legal age and there’s no evidence of sports betting—it still sends the wrong message. As two of the team’s leaders, including senior quarterback Dart, this lack of urgency doesn’t sit well with fans and raises questions about their commitment as the season teeters on the brink.
It’s true that a bye week is meant for rest and recovery, both mentally and physically. But with the Rebels’ national championship hopes fading, the timing of this choice adds to the frustration. This is Ole Miss’s best chance in years—perhaps the best they’ll have for some time—with a loaded roster and a wide-open path in the 2024 college football landscape. The stakes are sky-high, and leaders are expected to set the tone.
Dart has already been embroiled in off-field distractions, like the TikTok cheating controversy, which has followed him throughout the year. These issues, coupled with inconsistent on-field results, may be contributing factors to Ole Miss’s slide. While the team still has an opportunity to rally and make a playoff push, it’s understandable that Rebels fans aren’t feeling particularly confident right now. If this season is going to be salvaged, Ole Miss needs a renewed focus—starting at the top with its leaders.
