What Lane Kiffin must do before picking LSU, Florida or Ole Miss after Egg Bowl
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OXFORD — There is at least one thing that Ole Miss football coach Lane Kiffin and athletic director Keith Carter can agree on right now.
Losing the Egg Bowl is the worst-case scenario in a drama-filled situation that’s going to continue for at least another week.
On Nov. 21, Carter posted a news release about Kiffin’s future. There’s not much news but there is a timeline.
Carter said an announcement on Kiffin’s future is expected Nov. 29, one day after No. 6 Ole Miss (10-1, 6-1 SEC) faces Mississippi State (5-6, 1-6) in the Egg Bowl on Nov. 28 (11 a.m. CT, ABC).
Carter met with Kiffin on Nov. 21, but referenced multiple “pointed and positive” meetings with his coach, who is being pursued by LSU and Florida.
Why Ole Miss losing Egg Bowl could be bad for LSU, Florida, too
If Ole Miss loses the Egg Bowl, Kiffin will be blamed at best. Villainized at worst.
Kiffin’s unwillingness to comment on his future has been part of the storyline. On Nov. 16, Kiffin defended his actions by saying that college football is a year-to-year business and players aren’t focused on 2026.
The Rebels are 4-0 since the rumors began after Florida fired coach Billy Napier on Oct. 19. But what if the Rebels come out flat against a Mississippi State team that has one SEC win in the past two seasons?
Ole Miss is No. 6 in the latest CFP poll and trying to make the playoff for the first time. If the Rebels lose, it would probably bump them out of a home CFP game, and Ole Miss could tumble all the way out of the 12-team bracket.
If Kiffin winds up staying, a loss would cause further harm to an already strained relationship. Even if he leaves on a down note after losing to the Bulldogs, it could zap energy from his next destination.
Why Ole Miss winning Egg Bowl could soften blow if Lane Kiffin leaves
A win in the Egg Bowl is critical for Ole Miss regardless of Kiffin’s choice.
If Kiffin plans to stay, beating the Bulldogs would set the stage for a crowning moment. Kiffin would sign the contract as the Rebels cruise toward hosting its first CFP game in program history.
If Kiffin departs, a win in the Egg Bowl would serve to tee up the interim head coach. A win would mean the interim’s first time leading the Rebels would probably come in Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
A loss on Kiffin’s way out means the Rebels have to lick their wounds in a road CFP atmosphere at the very best, with a non-CFP bowl game suddenly becoming an option.
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: Lane Kiffin to LSU, Florida or Ole Miss needs to follow Egg Bowl win
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