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Watch: Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart INTs wreck team's CFP hopes
Mississippi Rebels quarterback Jaxson Dart (2) throws the ball against the Florida Gators during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images

Watch: Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart interceptions wreck team's College Football Playoff hopes

Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart threw two brutal fourth-quarter interceptions against Florida to sink the Rebels' College Football Playoff hopes.

No. 9 Ole Miss (8-3, 4-3 in SEC) lost 24-17 despite reaching Florida territory on its last two possessions.

Dart made a poor decision on his first interception, throwing to wide receiver Antwane Wells Jr. in triple-coverage on a first-and-10 from the Gators' 39-yard line.

His second interception came as the Rebels were desperate, facing third-and-10 from the Florida 48-yard line with no timeouts.

Dart threw to avoid a sack, and his pass sailed over his intended target for an easy game-sealing pick for Gators defensive back Bryce Thornton, who also recorded the first interception.

Dart finished 24-of-41 for 323 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. He added 71 rushing yards on 14 carries (5.1 yards per carry).

He had a hot start, completing 13 of his first 16 attempts before ending the game 11-of-25.

Dart picked a bad time to play arguably his worst stretch of football this season. With the loss, Ole Miss is effectively out of contention for a CFP berth.

It's unlikely to overcome losses to Kentucky (4-6, 1-6 in SEC), LSU (6-4, 3-3 in SEC) and Florida (6-5, 4-4 in SEC).

It's a giant step back for Ole Miss after it scored its signature win under head coach Lane Kiffin in Week 11 against No. 10 Georgia (9-2, 6-2 in SEC).

Per ESPN's playoff predictor, the Rebels entered Week 13 with a 67 percent chance of reaching the playoffs. Thanks to the loss to Florida, if it beats Mississippi State next weekend, Ole Miss' odds of receiving a playoff berth would be four percent.

Eric Smithling

Eric Smithling is a writer based in New Orleans, LA, whose byline also appears on Athlon Sports. He has been with Yardbarker since September 2022, primarily covering the NFL and college football, but also the NBA, WNBA, men’s and women’s college basketball, NHL, tennis and golf. He holds a film studies degree from the University of New Orleans

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