Lane Kiffin just can’t quit the drama, can he? Weeks after LSU dropped a nail-biter to Ole Miss, their former coach doubled down on the rivalry Wednesday, straight up calling the Rebels’ 32-24 victory their “Super Bowl.” The Tigers took their first loss of the season in Week 3, and frankly, Kiffin sounds like he’s still stewing over it. This isn’t just post-game chatter; it’s a direct shot at how much that game meant.
Kiffin’s Raw Thoughts on the Loss
During Wednesday’s SEC Football Coaches Teleconference, Kiffin didn’t hold back one bit, letting everyone know precisely how he felt about that crushing defeat in Oxford. He flat-out said Ole Miss treated that game like it was the absolute biggest thing on their entire schedule. You gotta wonder if he’s trying to minimize the sting for his own squad or just stir the pot even more, adding fuel to an already intense rivalry. Kiffin went on, laying out a hypothetical: “If it wasn’t for the name, Ole Miss, and if it was more of a traditional name that we were playing, we hadn’t coached at before, how would everybody be feeling if, in your third game of your first year of a program, you went to Ohio State and came all the way back?” He specifically mentioned his quarterback, Sam Leavitt, didn’t play “very well,” while the opponent’s played “lights out,” suggesting that guy would be a Heisman frontrunner after just three games. It’s clear Kiffin sees the “Ole Miss” factor, his old team, as what amplified the pain and drama of that Week 3 contest. He kept talking about “all the energy in the stadium” and how they were “right there at the end with multiple chances to win the game.” For Kiffin, it boils down to learning from that intense situation and finishing strong when they’re in that type of spot again.
Ole Miss Shakes it Off
Meanwhile, across the SEC, Ole Miss head coach Pete Golding had a totally different vibe on the same teleconference. Golding isn’t buying into Kiffin’s “Super Bowl” talk one bit, not even for a second. He told reporters his team definitely did not have the LSU game “circled” on their calendar. Golding made it pretty clear that winning a single game in September, no matter how dramatic or personal, doesn’t define your entire season. For him, it’s all about the grind, preparing “really hard week in and week out,” and trusting that consistent effort will lead to success by the end of the year. What a contrast in perspectives! While Kiffin is still picking at the wound from that loss, Golding is already looking ahead, totally shutting down any idea that one early-season win means everything.
LSU is hosting Texas A&M this weekend, and you know they’ll be absolutely fired up after Kiffin’s pointed comments and that tough Ole Miss loss. They need to show they can learn from that Week 3 stumble and deliver a complete game, especially with Kiffin putting a spotlight on their finish. For Kiffin, it’s about proving his team can execute and close out games when it truly matters. Can they make a statement this weekend and finally put the Ole Miss drama behind them? We’ll find out soon enough when the whistle blows!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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