ESPN Analyst Chris Canty Errs on Ole Miss Football History
Former NFL player Chris Canty made a widely inaccurate claim about Ole Miss's success against top-10 ranked teams during an appearance on ESPN's 'First Take.'
ESPN analyst and former NFL player Chris Canty recently stated on the network's program 'First Take' that the Ole Miss football program has secured only two wins against AP Top 10-ranked teams in the last 60 years. This assertion has been widely disputed, with evidence indicating a significantly higher number of such victories for the Rebels.
During a discussion about Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss following the team's recent 32-24 victory over LSU, Canty claimed that Chambliss was responsible for both of those wins. However, records indicate that Ole Miss has achieved victories against AP Top 10 teams on numerous occasions, particularly since the turn of the 21st century.
<!----> Since the year 2000 alone, the Ole Miss Rebels have defeated 16 teams ranked within the AP Top 10. Notable wins include victories against No. 4 LSU in 2026, and No. 3 Georgia in 2024. Looking further back, the program defeated No. 3 Alabama in 2014 and No. 2 Alabama the following year. These instances, among others, contradict Canty's statement.
While sports analysts may occasionally misstate facts, particularly when relying on information provided by researchers or producers, Canty's claim about Ole Miss's historical success against highly ranked opponents appears to be a significant factual error. The program's record demonstrates a more substantial history of defeating top-tier competition than was presented on 'First Take.'