Scheduling conflict preventing Ole Miss-Texas Tech 2018 season opener

Ole Miss is close to setting up a 2018 season opener against Texas Tech in Houston. However, the Red Raiders must first move their previously scheduled Week 1 matchup against Missouri State to another season, according to Don Williams according to Don Williams of the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal.

“I’m confident that we’ll be able to move the game that we need to be played and come to an agreement with ESPN on that game, so I’m excited about it,” Texas Tech athletic director Kirby Hocutt told the Avalanche-Journal on Monday. “The contract hasn’t been executed as of today, but I see no reason why it will not be in the coming weeks.”

Ole Miss holds a 3-2 advantage in the teams’ five previous matchups, which includes loses in both regular season games but wins in all three bowl meetings. The Rebels need to schedule a Power 5 non-conference opponent to meet SEC rules that force each team to do so starting with the upcoming season.

Ole Miss hasn’t publicly announced a Power 5 opponent for 2018 or 2020, but has reportedly reached a verbal agreement to kickoff the 2020 season against Baylor, according to the Clarion-Ledger.

Here’s a look at the Rebels’ confirmed upcoming non-conference matchups:

2016

Sept. 5, vs. Florida State (Orlando, Florida.)

Sept. 10, vs. Wofford

Oct. 1, vs. Memphis

Nov. 5, vs. Georgia Southern

2017

Sept. 2, vs. South Alabama

Sept. 9, vs. UT-Martin

Sept. 16, @ Cal

2019

Aug. 31, @ Memphis

Sept. 14, vs. Southeastern Louisiana

Sept. 21, vs. Cal

2021

Sept. 18, vs. Tulane

2022

Sept. 17, @ Georgia Tech

2023

Sept. 9, @ Tulane

Sept. 23, vs. Georgia Tech

2024

Sept. 14, @ Wake Forest

2025

Sept. 13, vs. Wake Forest

Sept. 20, vs. Tulane

Jason Hall

Jason covers SEC football for Saturday Down South.