The 1981 Ole Miss Rebels football team represented the University of Mississippi as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) during the 1981 NCAA Division I-A football season. Le by fourth-year head coach Steve Sloan, the Rebels compiled an overall record of 4âÂÂ6âÂÂ1 with a mark of 1âÂÂ5âÂÂ1 in conference play, placing ninth in the SEC The season opened with a close win over Tulane.