Lane Kiffin rips Paul Finebaum for providing Alabama with 'GOAT fuel'

While there are presumably plenty of college football fans around the country overjoyed at the fact that Alabama now has two losses and is on the outside looking in when it comes to the College Football Playoff, also ready to declare Nick Saban‘s dynasty over, Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin isn’t one of them.

Not mere days before he’ll take on Saban and the Crimson Tide.

“I texted (Paul) Finebaum on the way over here when I saw his quotes, like he normally does, and says the Nick Saban dynasty is over and all that,” Kiffin said. “And every time he says this, which I tell him, all he does is, I call it like GOAT fuel, opposite of rat poisoning. You’re just like giving the GOAT fuel, which for him, that works. And he goes and proves him wrong every time.

“So really appreciate Paul saying that right after the game. I’m sure that was on his desk Sunday morning.”

And while Saturday’s loss all but eliminated the Crimson Tide from SEC West contention, the Rebels are still clinging to some small hope.

Ole Miss would need to win out and have LSU stumble in one of its final two SEC games this year, but it’s not out of the realm of possibility. Of course, winning out now means beating a Saban squad looking to bounce back from back-to-back defeats.

“They’re always ready to play. They always rebound over the years,” Kiffin said. “And you’re going to go play the best offensive player in the country and the best defensive player in the country, so very challenging situation.

“Very challenging situation but glad to be home. Had a nice, long home winning streak here and would obviously assume the crowd will be great.”

Lane Kiffin not sold on Nick Saban dynasty ending

If there’s anyone who would know what to expect from Saban coming off a loss, it’s probably Kiffin. He was on Saban’s staff from 2014-16.

He knows how he operates behind closed doors after his team drops a game.

“There weren’t many of them. There were only three,” Kiffin said. “There were only two regular season in three years, both to Ole Miss. I thought he was phenomenal. You would maybe expect it to be the other way, like he comes in and everything’s the end of the world, like some coaches do. He does a good job of addressing exactly what it was.”

As far as Nick Saban’s dynasty being over?

Alabama has lost to No. 5 Tennessee and No. 7 LSU, by a combined total of four points. Kiffin was sure to point that out, certainly not appreciative of the added ‘GOAT fuel.’

“And remember, guys, like Finebaum’s stupid statement: They’ve lost two games by two plays,” Kiffin said. “Both games could have gone either way. Alabama makes the field goal at Tennessee and the two-point gets stopped, and they’re the No. 1, No. 2 team in the country coming in here. So we’re talking about two plays, two teams on the road in two of the hardest environments — over 100,000 people at both games — to play in.

“So this is a great team and best coach to ever do it.”

Alabama and Ole Miss will meet Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET with a broadcast on CBS.