SEC Roundup: OU tops Auburn, Ole Miss finds QB1, MSU 4-0

Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

By Chris Marler

The SEC Saturday afternoon slate lived up to everything it was billed to be. Ole Miss got a massive win against a Group of Six opponent that some think could contend for a College Football Playoff spot, and Auburn and Oklahoma played in an instant classic in Norman.

Auburn-Oklahoma was pure theater

My goodness. What a game.

This felt like a throwback. Tough defense, pads popping, and some absolutely horrifying officiating that directly impacted way too much of the game.

This was a 60 minute battle and Oklahoma showed once again that no matter how good John Mateer is, the real strength of this team is the defense. They got after Jackson Arnold all night, recording ten sacks including eight in the first half. Auburn had an uphill battle on the road from the jump with their offensive line being responsible for an absurd eight penalties.

Oklahoma took a 13-10 lead into the fourth quarter which was when the fun began. They extended that lead to 16-10 with a field goal. However, Auburn answered with a 14 play, 75 yard drive that ate up nearly eight minutes of clock in the fourth quarter. Mateer would answer with a rushing touchdown just two minutes later taking a 22-17 lead. They would then record their program record tenth sack for a safety and win 24-17.

The game was marred with several controversial calls including one that may have been the game winner despite being in the first half. Oklahoma ran a player off the field as a decoy. However, he never left the field of play and was able to sneak down the sideline catching a wide open touchdown. By every article of the rule it should’ve been a flag, but was never called.

‘You cannot use the substitution process to deceive your opponent’ – Matt Austin ESPN CFB Rules Analyst

Hugh Freeze livid after that Oklahoma touchdown. pic.twitter.com/wjTl4BAm3E

— Patrick Greenfield (@PCGreenfield) September 20, 2025

QB Controversy for Kiffin?

Ole Miss does not have a quarterback controversy. They have a quarterback, and his name is Trinidad Chambliss.

If you wanted to make the argument that Ole Miss had the most impressive win of the day so far in the SEC, it would be worth a listen. This was a Tulane team that was not just 3-0 but also had multiple wins over Power Four opponents.

There are still a decent amount of questions for Ole Miss to answer this season. The one thing I’m very confident about with the Rebels after four games is that Chambliss is QB1. Austin Simmons started the year at quarterback and was inconsistent at best, leading the SEC with four interceptions.

Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss vs Tulane:

🔵 17/27
🔵 419 Total YDS
🔵 2 TDS
🔵 0 INTS@OleMissFB pic.twitter.com/3XMD15YNgJ

— PFF College (@PFF_College) September 20, 2025

Chambliss has put up over 400 yards of offense in both games to go along with six touchdowns. Pete Golding’s defense looked much better and gave Jake Retzlaff fits all day. That 45-10 win was huge for so many reasons, but most importantly it gave you a clear answer for who needs to start next Saturday against LSU.

Mississippi State – Count the wins. Literally

Mississippi State didn’t have the most convincing win over Northern Illinois on Saturday. But, who cares? They got the win.

The 4-0 start means they not only doubled their win total from 2024, but they also have already covered the preseason win total that sportsbooks in Las Vegas set at 3.5.

Blake Shapen didn’t blow anyone away for the second week in a row. However, the positive here is that they got Fluff Bothwell going again as the transfer running back had over 90 yards on the ground for the second straight week.