Kirby Smart reacts to Lane Kiffin’s frustration over kickoff times

Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin might have ruffled some feathers in the SEC offices this week when he complained about the league’s scheduling practices and some seeming iniquity in who gets what time slot.

Georgia coach Kirby Smart was asked about Kiffin’s claims, that playing at night gives you an advantage, and whether he had any comment on the idea.

“I don’t see a big difference in 3:30 and 7:30 in terms of recruiting,” Smart said. “They can come to the game either way. You can make a case the atmosphere’s better at night. I get what he’s saying there, but my concern’s with Florida.”

Smart shut down the talk from Lane Kiffin pretty quickly. And of course, if anyone had a right to complain, it would be Georgia.

The Bulldogs have played three night games away from home this year, while not entertaining anyone in Sanford Stadium at night so far. The season finale against Georgia Tech will be a night game, while the game against Tennessee in two weeks has a chance as well.

Still, the claim from Lane Kiffin has drawn plenty of scrutiny. Particularly because Kiffin called out one school as being on the beneficial end of the league’s scheduling.

“So, who went at night? LSU gets to play at night again, I guess? Shocker,” said Kiffin. “That’s two for two for them.”

Ole Miss, of course, was selected for a 3:30 game against Georgia on Nov. 9. That was the basis for Kiffin’s complaint.

Smart seemed to shrug it off.

Lane Kiffin, though, explained where he was coming from in a press conference on Monday.

“Yeah, I mean, I think that’s proven over time in the NFL and college, you know. Playing at night in electric atmospheres is a home-field advantage. Tough when you’ve got to do that as an opposing team,” Kiffin said. “So that’s been proven for a long time. … It is an advantage.”

“I feel bad for our fans not having one night conference game. It’s really unfortunate for them. So, whatever. It’s just really disappointing but it is what it is.”