The 2023 season begins in just a matter of days for the Ole Miss Rebels, who fell flat during the 2022 season with an overall record of 8-5, limping to the finish line with a 4-game losing streak.

But for a team that was in the national championship discussion last season, that started off hot and backed the hype up, some tweaks provided plenty of reason for optimism in Oxford moving forward.

Here’s a look at 5 reasons for fans to be optimistic about the Rebels in 2023:

1. The return of head coach Lane Kiffin

There were rumors toward the end of last season that Kiffin may be departing for the Auburn job, and with the success he’s had at Ole Miss there’s no doubt he’s a name that should rightfully be considered for other gigs. Kiffin has played a notable part in bringing the Rebels to more consistent national relevance, posting an overall record of 23-13 in Oxford over the past 3 years.

As 1 of the greatest offensive minds in college football, it’s safe to assume that if Kiffin ever departs from Oxford before the end of his career, it will absolutely be on his own terms.

2. Another year with Quinshon Judkins

What Judkins has accomplished just 1 year into his college career is nothing short of astounding, after he drew Heisman Trophy hype last season with even more of that behind him now heading into 2023. It’s true that this usually winds up being a quarterback award, but the numbers Judkins has even up to this point are already quite convincing.

Judkins is poised to once again be 1 of the best running backs in the nation in 2023 after finishing 7th in the nation in rushing yards with 1,567 to go with 16 touchdowns. The only 6 running backs ahead of him in 2022 were: Brad Roberts (Air Force), DeWayne McBride (UAB), Mohamed Ibrahim (Minnesota), Chase Brown (Illinois), Tyjae Spears (Tulane) and Bijan Robinson (Texas).

Expect Judkins to once again play a huge role in an offense that should be more efficient in the passing game in 2023.

3. A defense projected to be much better

There’s no question the Rebels defense fell flat in comparison to the offense, powered by someone like Judkins in the fold, particularly struggling to defend the run.

But there’s hope that the Rebels will improve defensively by a significant margin with Pete Golding as the new defensive coordinator, incoming transfers such as former Louisville defender Monty Montgomery and returning veteran talent like Jared Ivey and JJ Pegues on that side of the ball.

Interceptions should also go up after Ole Miss was lackluster in this category with a total of just 8 picks. Expect that number to increase with the addition of cornerbacks coach Keynodo Hudson.

4. In a better position at quarterback

The bar is set somewhat low here, considering that around this time last season the Rebels were facing the tall task of trying to find an effective way to replace star quarterback Matt Corral with an ongoing competition between Luke Altmyer and USC transfer Jaxson Dart. Dart ultimately won the job but didn’t meet expectations — which may have been a bit unfair given his experience level and the fact he was making the transition to a new program — and quickly fell out of the Heisman conversation.

Veteran transfer Spencer Sanders is certainly hovering over Dart and brings a good skillset to the table should he be called upon to replace Dart at any time. The Rebels are in an improved position from last year’s situation, with a higher combined level of experience between both quarterbacks based on what Sanders provides and the added game reps for Dart.

Dart, who still maintains a high ceiling as long as he can keep steadily developing, made strides as a passer as the 2022 season went on. He finished with a 62.4 completion percentage, 2,974 passing yards, 20 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

5. The (very real) opportunity to take down Alabama

Kiffin has made his respect for Alabama head coach Nick Saban well-known, but there’s no doubt he’s been eager for the opportunity to beat Saban, head coach to head coach. With some of the changes to the staff and the roster, additional experience at the quarterback position and having such a key star like Judkins, the Rebels enter this matchup in a better position than they were last season.

Ole Miss has already come close to beating the Tide over the past few seasons, and Alabama is the weakest it has been in recent seasons, perhaps in its worst situation at quarterback with the ups and downs Jalen Milroe has shown.