Making it to another New Year’s Six bowl was a major accomplishment for Ole Miss. But ever since Hugh Freeze arrived in Oxford and delivered a couple big-time recruiting classes, Rebels nation has been hungry for SEC and national titles.

With several key players from Ole Miss’ vaunted 2013 recruiting class such as WR Laquon Treadwell and left tackle LT Laremy Tunsil declaring for the NFL Draft, the Rebels will have to reload if they want to take the next step as a college football program.

But replenishing talent shouldn’t be an issue. Freeze is on the verge of landing ESPN’s No. 1-ranked recruiting class for 2016, featuring the nation’s No. 2 overall prospect, OT Gregory Little, and No. 5 overall prospect, QB Shea Patterson.

The Rebels’ next three highest-rated recruits in the 2016 class are in-state four-stars, who will be key to Ole Miss’ success moving forward. Acquiring WR DeKaylin Metcalf, DT Benito Jones and TE Octavious Cooley was also important for Ole Miss because it keeps them out of the hands of other SEC teams that recruit the state of Mississippi.

Despite losing key contributors on both sides of the ball, the Rebels return a core of leaders.

Quarterback Chad Kelly will have familiar targets WR Quincy Adeboyejo and TE Evan Engram.  Wide receiver Damore’ea Stringfellow, who Freeze has compared to Treadwell from a physical standpoint, may develop into a standout.

While Ole Miss should be strong, some of the SEC’s other marquee teams have key questions, possibly leaving room for the Rebels to rise to the top.

Ole Miss has had Alabama’s number the last two seasons, and that success could continue with the Crimson Tide losing several stars, especially on defense. Rumors of coach Nick Saban retiring or moving on if he wins Monday’s national championship game are music to the ears in Oxford.

The Rebels’ cross-conference matchup next season is Georgia, which should be experiencing growing pains with new coach Kirby Smart.

Texas A&M and Auburn are generally tough opponents, but neither will be ready to compete with Ole Miss next season. LSU will have RB Leonard Fournette, and is bringing in ESPN’s No. 2-ranked recruiting class next season.

However, the Tigers were close to firing coach Les Miles, and there’s still no capable passer to complement Fournette. Though highly recruited quarterback Feleipe Franks is headed to LSU, he’ll need time to develop.

And when it comes to the Egg Bowl against in-state rival Mississippi State, Ole Miss fans must be doing backflips after seeing Bulldogs QB Dak Prescott play his last collegiate game.

The SEC could be opening up for Ole Miss as soon as next season, and winning a national title starts with taking down the conference.

If the Rebels can win the SEC West, the sky is the limit.