As LSU Tigers head coach Brian Kelly celebrated his team’s recent victory over South Carolina, he took a moment to express admiration for a familiar SEC rival: Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin.
With both programs eyeing a spot in the College Football Playoff, the pressure is mounting ahead of tomorrow’s high-stakes showdown in Baton Rouge.
Kelly has not let the competitive nature of the primetime clash cloud his appreciation for Kiffin’s impact on the sport.
In a conversation with The Daily Advertiser’s Cory Diaz, Kelly highlighted Kiffin’s influence, noting his broad appeal and unique presence in the college football landscape.
“I just think you have to look at how many followers he has on Twitter – almost 694,000,” Kelly said. “Lane has a positive outlook on the game, and he’s certainly been an essential figure in college football. He can poke fun at himself and others. I think he’s good for college football.”
Kiffin’s sarcastic humor and quick wit, while not universally embraced, have earned him a loyal fan base and made him a popular figure in college football.
His massive social media following is evidence of his widespread appeal.
However, as Kelly subtly pointed out, it’s easier to rally around Kiffin when Ole Miss is competing at the highest level, which is precisely what’s at stake for both teams this season.
Despite the light-hearted compliments, the reality is that there may not be room for both No. 9 Ole Miss and No. 13 LSU in the CFP field, even with the expanded format.
With only 12 coveted spots available, a loss tomorrow night could effectively end either team’s playoff hopes.
Both LSU and Ole Miss enter the season with national title aspirations, and a win tomorrow could be pivotal in keeping those hopes alive.
The Rebels are coming off a 27-3 win against South Carolina after rebounding from a shocking home loss to Kentucky. Meanwhile, LSU is looking to build on its current momentum and avenge an early-season defeat to USC.
Tomorrow promises to be, at least on paper, the single best week of the entire college football regular season.
While much of the attention has been focused on Texas-Oklahoma and Oregon-Ohio State, the LSU-Ole Miss showdown has miraculously flown under the radar.
What are your thoughts on Kelly’s comments?
Do you agree that Kiffin is good for college football? … Or are you one of the many Lane-haters who simply can’t stand him?
More importantly, what is your prediction for the game? … Who will come out on top???