Is Lane Kiffin at Sugar Bowl to watch Ole Miss vs Georgia? Latest update

NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...

NEW ORLEANS – Earlier in the week it looked like former Ole Miss football coach Lane Kiffin could be in attendance to watch the Rebels play Georgia in the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1.

But now it looks like Kiffin, the new LSU football coach, will attend the LSU’s women’s basketball game vs Kentucky instead.

Ole Miss (12-1) is facing Georgia (12-1) in the Sugar Bowl at 7 p.m. (ESPN). It’s one of four quarterfinal games in the College Football Playoff, and the first CFP run in Ole Miss history.

Kiffin was Ole Miss’ coach for six seasons, leading the Rebels to an 11-1 record this year before taking the LSU job after the Egg Bowl.  Defensive coordinator Pete Golding was promoted to head coach Nov. 30 and led the Rebels to a CFP first-round win over Tulane Dec. 20.

Yahoo’s Ross Dellenger reported on Dec. 30 that Kiffin could attend the Sugar Bowl at Caesars Superdome.

The report also said Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry could be in attendance, and that security plans were being made for their arrival.

But Kiffin reposted a tweet Jan. 1 from Jacques Doucet of WAFB-TV that he’s expected to attend the LSU women’s basketball game vs Kentucky instead. Kiffin added a tiger emoji and @LSU.

No. 5 LSU (14-0) and coach Kim Mulkey open SEC play vs No. 11 Kentucky (13-1) at home at 7 p.m., the same time the Sugar Bowl kicks off.

Kiffin has posted about Ole Miss leading up to the Sugar Bowl. On Jan. 1 he questioned everyone on the “College GameDay” crew picking Georgia to beat Ole Miss.

“What are you guys thinking?!?!?” Kiffin wrote. “Have you not watched …” and then included the Trinidad and Tobago flag emoji, meaning Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss.

What Lane Kiffin said about Ole Miss vs Georgia

On Dec. 27, Kiffin made an appearance in the ESPN broadcast booth for the Kinder’s Texas Bowl between LSU and Houston and answered questions from broadcasters Tom Hart and Cole Cubelic.

“To watch those guys and how much they were smiling and be able to have that success and the biggest game in the history of the state of Mississippi and to blow out Tulane like that, it was awesome watching them,” Kiffin said of the Rebels’ first-round win vs Tulane.

Kiffin also spoke about the realities of having several of his LSU assistants sticking around in Oxford to continue coaching the Rebels during their CFP run.

Offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. is among the group of coaches who are working to finish out the Ole Miss season while also helping LSU prepare for the 2026 season.

“Sometimes we have our staff meetings even though they’re back there. When Pete’s done with his and then we get on and have our own,” Kiffin said. “So, we’re just trying to make it work for both sides so Ole Miss can have the best chance to win a national championship and then we can also be building what we are here.”

Kiffin was also asked about Chambliss’ development, but declined to answer, saying, “Since we have coaches back there and everything, they might say it’s a violation if I actually talk about Trinidad and how good he is.”

Kiffin wrapped his interview giving his outlook on the Rebels’ matchup with the Bulldogs in the Sugar Bowl.

“Powerhouse game . . . I think you have the best offense in the country with now maybe what’s the best defense lately, not really early in the year, but lately Georgia’s been playing, so I think that’s a big part of it,” Kiffin said.

Contributing: Tia Reid

Sam Hutchens covers Ole Miss for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at Shutchens@gannett.com or reach him on X at @Sam_Hutchens_

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Is Lane Kiffin watching Ole Miss vs Georgia at Sugar Bowl? Latest news

More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos