The Ole Miss Rebels responded to last week's loss in a big way on Saturday, taking down the South Carolina Gamecocks 27-3 on the road and rising to No. 9 in the AP Poll as a result. A big reason that Ole Miss had so much success this week was thanks to its defense.

Those losses created room for Ole Miss, which entered the week at No. 11 in the US LBM coaches poll and No. 12 in the AP poll, to move up. The Rebels jumped to No. 8 in the coaches poll and to No. 9 in the AP Top 25.

No. 12 Ole Miss bounced back after last week’s stunning loss to Kentucky by topping South Carolina on the road 27-3. Pete Golding’s defense has lived up to the preseason hype as it has only given up three touchdowns this year.