Ole Miss Continues Shocking CFP Run Without Lane Kiffin
Ole Miss seemed to be dead in the water when Lane Kiffin bolted early for LSU. The Rebels' rivals didn't make the College Football Playoff, but they did. However, because of the weird hiring window and other nonsensical college rules, Kiffin had to leave before the playoff. Losing a head coach, and one as good as Kiffin, could've been the death knell, but Ole Miss continues to march on.
Ole Miss upsets Georgia in stunner without Lane Kiffin
Lane Kiffin is, by all accounts, a really good coach. He's 117-53 all-time, and he's been given lots of opportunities at big schools. He's one of the strongest coaches in college football right now, and that's no easy feat.
So losing him could have derailed an inspiring Ole Miss season. The team was headed into the College Football Playoff when Kiffin, in an unfortunately fitting fashion, bolted for a conference rival. That left them a boat without a captain.
That proved not to be a problem against Group of 5 Tulane, as Ole Miss dominated 41-10. But the real test remained Georgia, the SEC champion and one of the best modern programs in college football. Despite not having their coach, they're moving on.
The Rebels had a second half for the ages. They were down two scores at half-time and put up 27 points, including 20 in the fourth quarter, to stun the Georgia Bulldogs. Trinidad Chambliss and company got a late field goal and a bizarre safety on the final play to eke out a 39-34 win.
Despite the loss of a coach, the Rebels are starting to feel a little bit like a team of destiny. "We're not focused on destiny or anything like that," said Chambliss via ESPN. "We just want to play ball and have fun. A lot of people did doubt us -- before the season, then when our coach left. But we're just having fun, and I think that shows."
Chambliss was electric all night. He had some brilliant scrambles that led to unfathomable completions. All told, he threw for 362 yards, including a 40-yarder to set up the late, game-winning field goal. It was a true breakout performance.
"The guys, it's such a mature group," athletic director Keith Carter said. "The leadership in the locker room has shown on the field. They've never flinched. They just keep going. This wasn't a perfect game, but they kept going and found a way to win."
Kiffin's exodus looms large over Ole Miss, and it will until they lose or find a new head coach. "It was like a slap and the backhand," Ole Miss defensive tackle Zxavian Harris said. "We took that personally, especially this game. This was a personal game, too."
Pete Golding took over for Kiffin, and it's hard not to think he's in the running for the job long-term after this. "To be around these dudes on a daily basis, I don't want it to end," Golding said about the future. "It's definitely special. ... I know everybody else was doubting us this season, but the goal this season, why Trinidad came, was to compete for a championship. That's something we're going to do around here on a consistent basis."
The future is totally uncertain. The Rebels will face the Miami Hurricanes, a team on their own Cinderella run after sneaking into the CFP. But beyond that, it's hard to say. Assistants will come and go, and players may too as a result of Kiffin's exit. But for now, the Rebels are riding high, and it looks like it's going to be quite hard to bring them down. Not even losing their leader right before the playoffs has slowed them so far.
