What Is 1968 Ole Miss Rebels football team

Overview

The 1968 Ole Miss Rebels football team represented the University of Mississippi during the 1968 NCAA University Division football season. Competing in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), the team struggled significantly compared to its historically strong reputation, finishing with a 3–7 overall record and 1–5 in conference play.

This season marked a turning point for the program, as it was the first losing season since 1949 and signaled the beginning of a transitional period under new leadership. The team failed to qualify for a bowl game and faced criticism for inconsistent offensive production and defensive vulnerabilities.

• Head coach Doug Meeks took over in 1968, his first and only season at Ole Miss, after serving as an assistant under the previous regime.
• The Rebels opened the season with a 21–14 win over Memphis State, providing early optimism before a string of losses.
• Losses to ranked teams included defeats to #7 LSU (33–13) and #13 Tennessee (34–3), highlighting the team's struggles against top competition.
• The team’s only SEC win came against Vanderbilt, 21–15, in a close contest played in Oxford, Mississippi.
• The season concluded with a 31–0 loss to Mississippi State, marking the first time Ole Miss had been shut out by their in-state rival since 1935.

Performance Breakdown

The 1968 season was defined by offensive inconsistency and defensive lapses, with the Rebels averaging just 17.1 points per game while allowing 24.4. Several key starters were injured mid-season, further disrupting team cohesion and depth.

• Offensive struggles were evident throughout the season, as the team failed to score more than 21 points in any SEC game.
• Quarterback play rotated between several players, including sophomore Glynn Griffing and junior Don Robbins, with no consistent starter emerging.
• The defense allowed three opponents to score 30+ points, including losses to LSU, Tennessee, and Florida.
• Special teams underperformed, with the team ranking near the bottom of the SEC in net punting and field goal accuracy.
• The team’s home record was 2–3 at Vaught–Hemingway Stadium, a drop from previous years’ dominance on home turf.
• Rivalry losses to both Mississippi State and LSU in the same season had not occurred since 1957, marking a low point for fan morale.

Comparison at a Glance

Comparing the 1968 season to recent prior years illustrates a sharp decline in performance across key metrics. The table below outlines statistical comparisons with the 1966 and 1967 seasons.

The data shows a clear downward trend from 1965 to 1968, with declining win totals and worsening point differentials. The 1968 team allowed the most points in that five-year span and had the worst win-loss record. This regression reflected broader challenges, including coaching changes and reduced recruiting success.

Why It Matters

The 1968 season is remembered as a pivotal moment in Ole Miss football history, marking the end of an era of consistent competitiveness and the beginning of a rebuilding phase. It underscored the importance of coaching stability and program depth during times of transition.

• Doug Meeks was fired after one season, making him one of the shortest-tenured head coaches in program history.
• The poor performance led to a coaching search that eventually brought in Billy Brewer in the 1970s, though not immediately.
• Recruiting efforts were reevaluated after the season, with increased focus on defensive talent in subsequent classes.
• The season highlighted vulnerabilities in the SEC’s evolving style of play, as other teams modernized their offenses.
• It served as a wakeup call for the administration about the need for modernized training and facilities.
• Fan engagement dropped in 1968, with average attendance down nearly 15% from 1967 levels.

While not a season of triumph, 1968 remains a key reference point in understanding the ebbs and flows of Ole Miss football. It demonstrated how even storied programs can face downturns and the necessity of strategic long-term planning.