‘I’m over that’ – Lane Kiffin is already upset at SEC ahead of upcoming LSU and Georgia kick off times
Following Ole Miss’ dominant 45-10 win over Tulane on Saturday, head coach Lane Kiffin didn’t hold back when asked about next week’s kickoff time against No. 3 LSU. The game is slated for a 3:30 p.m. ET start, and Kiffin made it clear he’s not thrilled about it.While expressing disappointment that the matchup won’t be […]
Following Ole Miss’ dominant 45-10 win over Tulane on Saturday, head coach Lane Kiffin didn’t hold back when asked about next week’s kickoff time against No. 3 LSU. The game is slated for a 3:30 p.m. ET start, and Kiffin made it clear he’s not thrilled about it.
While expressing disappointment that the matchup won’t be played under the lights, Kiffin also noted he wasn’t surprised by the decision. He took a pointed jab at the SEC, suggesting the conference tends to prioritize night games for Georgia and LSU when they’re playing at home.
“They always put LSU and Georgia at night,” Kiffin said, implying a pattern of favoritism in the league’s scheduling.
Lane Kiffin expresses frustration with SEC over LSU, Georgia schedule
“I’m over that. I just know what it’s gonna be,” Kiffin said about the kick time. “I told the commissioners here today, if we’re gonna play LSU here, it’s gonna be a day, and if we’re gonna be going down there, it’s gonna be a night one. So just know what it’s gonna be. It is what it is. I’m sure we’ll be a night at Georgia, too. If you just set it up that way, you won’t be upset when it happens. You won’t start thinking, ‘Maybe it’ll be different this time.’”
Instead of featuring Ole Miss vs. LSU in primetime, the SEC selected No. 5 Georgia vs. No. 14 Alabama as the marquee night game. Kiffin’s comments appeared to be directed at that choice, subtly questioning the rationale behind it.
From the conference’s perspective, the decision makes sense. Georgia and Alabama have been two of the most dominant programs in the SEC over the past decade, frequently clashing in high-stakes matchups, including multiple SEC Championship Games. But Kiffin’s frustration is understandable, too. Ole Miss has looked like a top-tier team this season, standing undefeated alongside LSU and Georgia, while Alabama already has a loss on its record.
Looking ahead, Kiffin acknowledged that Ole Miss could still land a night game later in the season, particularly when they travel to Athens to face Georgia on Oct. 18. Another possibility is the Oct. 25 showdown against Oklahoma in Norman, depending on how both teams perform leading up to that date.
The Rebels have had one night game in Oxford so far this season — a 7 p.m. ET kickoff against Arkansas. While Kiffin would have preferred another, he knows that’s out of his hands. What is within his control, however, is how well his team prepares for LSU.
“We’ll be ready,” Kiffin said, signaling that regardless of kickoff time, Ole Miss plans to bring the fight.
