What Is 1968 Ole Miss Rebels football

Content on WhatAnswers is provided "as is" for informational purposes. While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees. Content is AI-assisted and should not be used as professional advice.

Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1968 Ole Miss Rebels football team represented the University of Mississippi during the 1968 NCAA University Division season, finishing with a 3–7 record under head coach Doug Meadors, marking one of the program’s most challenging seasons in the modern era.

Key Facts

The 1968 Ole Miss Rebels finished with a 3–7 overall record and 1–5 in the Southeastern Conference (SEC).
Head coach Doug Meadors led the team in his first season, replacing longtime coach Johnny Vaught, who stepped down due to health issues.
The team played its home games at Vaught–Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Mississippi, which had a capacity of approximately 40,000 at the time.
Ole Miss scored just 109 total points during the season, averaging 10.9 points per game, one of the lowest in the program’s history.
The 1968 season marked the first losing season for Ole Miss since 1947, ending a streak of 20 consecutive non-losing campaigns.

Overview

The 1968 Ole Miss Rebels football season was a turning point in the history of the University of Mississippi's program, representing a sharp decline from its traditionally strong performance. Under new head coach Doug Meadors, the team struggled both offensively and defensively, finishing with a 3–7 overall record and a 1–5 mark in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), their worst since the post-World War II era.

This season marked a significant shift from the dominant teams of the 1950s and early 1960s led by coach Johnny Vaught, who had retired before the season due to health concerns. The 1968 campaign highlighted growing challenges in maintaining competitive balance amid evolving college football dynamics and increasing integration across Southern programs.

Season record: The team finished 3–7 overall and 1–5 in SEC play, their first losing season since 1947.
Head coach: Doug Meadors took over in his first year, inheriting a program in transition after Johnny Vaught’s retirement.
Home stadium: Games were played at Vaught–Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, MS, with a capacity of about 40,000 spectators.
Scoring output: Ole Miss scored only 109 points all season, averaging 10.9 points per game, among the lowest in the nation.
Defensive struggles: The Rebels allowed 208 total points, averaging nearly 21 points per game against stronger conference opponents.

How It Works

The structure of college football in 1968 involved strict conference alignments, limited substitutions, and a greater emphasis on ground-based, run-heavy offenses—hallmarks of Southern football at the time. The Ole Miss Rebels operated within this traditional framework, but struggled to adapt to faster-paced, more balanced offenses emerging nationally.

Run-heavy offense: The 1968 Rebels relied on a ground attack that averaged 138 rushing yards per game, but lacked consistency.
One-platoon system: Though fading, many Southern teams still used limited substitution, affecting stamina and specialization.
Recruiting transition: Ole Miss was slowly integrating its roster, lagging behind peers in attracting top-tier, diverse talent.
Coaching turnover: Meadors’ first-year leadership lacked the institutional stability Vaught had provided over 18 seasons.
Schedule difficulty: The Rebels faced six ranked teams, including losses to #5 LSU (17–13) and #12 Tennessee (21–0).
Player development: Inexperience at quarterback and along the offensive line hampered execution in close games.

Comparison at a Glance

The 1968 season stands in stark contrast to Ole Miss’s previous decades of success, particularly the dominant 1950s and early 1960s teams. The table below compares key performance metrics.

Season	Record (Overall)	SEC Record	Points For	Points Against	Head Coach
1968	3–7	1–5	109	208	Doug Meadors
1963	8–3	4–2	215	118	Johnny Vaught
1952	10–1	6–0	331	79	Johnny Vaught
1970	5–6	2–4	167	183	Doug Meadors
1960	8–3	4–2	242	108	Johnny Vaught

The data shows a clear decline by 1968 in scoring, win percentage, and defensive performance. While earlier teams dominated the SEC, the 1968 Rebels were outmatched, reflecting broader organizational and cultural shifts within college football and the university itself.

Why It Matters

The 1968 Ole Miss Rebels season is significant not just for its poor record, but as a symbol of transition during a turbulent era in Southern sports and society. It marked the end of an era of regional football dominance and the beginning of a more competitive, integrated national landscape.

End of an era: The season signaled the close of the Johnny Vaught dynasty that had defined Ole Miss football since 1947.
Integration pressures: As other SEC schools integrated rosters, Ole Miss lagged, affecting recruiting and competitiveness.
Coaching instability: Meadors’ short tenure highlighted the difficulty of replacing legendary figures without strong succession planning.
Fan expectations: The losing season tested fan loyalty, leading to long-term changes in athletic department priorities.
Historical benchmark: The 1968 record is often cited as a low point, used to measure future recovery and progress.
Southern football evolution: The season reflected the shift from regional powerhouses to a more nationally competitive college football structure.

Ultimately, the 1968 season serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of adaptation, leadership, and institutional support in maintaining athletic excellence during times of change.