Everything else Lane Kiffin said during SEC Teleconference ahead of LSU

For all intents and purposes the true 2022 schedule is here for Lane Kiffin and No. 7 Ole Miss as it starts the march through the Southeastern Conference Western Division.

Yes, it really started last weekend against Auburn but lets not kid ourselves. We are all adults here and know the upcoming five games are the true test of where Ole Miss will be come late December – early January.

As is tradition with every Wednesday during the college football season the 14 SEC coaches gathered for their weekly appearance on the SEC Coaches Teleconference.

Kiffin’s turn came and he was hit with topics ranging from LSU preparation to how he watched the Tennessee – Alabama classic and the lack of clipboard tosses this season.

Here is everything else Kiffin said during his appearance.

OPENING STATEMENT

Lane Kiffin: “This’ll be a very exciting opportunity to go into one of the hardest places in the country to play. We’ve been on the road a few times but nothing like this. So, excited for the opportunity to compete against elite personnel that we’ll be facing. So, this will be a big challenge for everybody to do their job.”

THERE WAS A SITUATION IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF THE AUBURN PLAY WHERE YOU GUYS WERE UP BY SEVEN, LINED UP FOR A PLAY AND BRYAN HARSIN CALLED A TIMEOUT. CAME BACK KICKED THE FIELD GOAL. BEFORE THE TIMEOUT WERE YOU GUYS GOING TO RUN A PLAY THERE AND FOR IT ON FOURTH DOWN?

Lane Kiffin: “It was exactly dead on the analytics of 50-50 by about a half a yard on whether to go or not. So, there’s certain situations where it comes down to choice. Like in blackjack where your chances are 50-50. It’s just a feel.

“I just thought more about it and the ability to go up two scores. Our kicker had been kicking good. Kickoffs also. All were touchbacks except for one. So, then I switched (to field goal).”

SO WAS IT LITERALLY LIKE 50-50 OR DID THE ANALYTICS SLIGHTLY SUGGEST ONE WAY OR THE OTHER?

Lane Kiffin: “I believe, I don’t remember exactly what it was, 4th & 3-in-a-half or something and it was right on 4th & 4 is where it was I think, if I remember. I want to say it was a 52 percent (for) field goal, I think.”

WHAT WERE YOUR TAKEAWAYS FROM THE LSU-FLORIDA TAPE?

Lane Kiffin: “I thought LSU played like you would expect them to play all year long. Really special players and great play-making ability. Easy to make third downs. Do a great in the run game but especially the passing game as I thought would have been the case all along. They must be hitting their stride and so it’s going to be a big challenge.”

WITH THE AMOUNT OF CHANGEOVER YOU HAD FROM LAST YEAR TO THIS YEAR FROM PLAYERS TO COACHING STAFF, HOW WELL HAS THIS TEAM MESHED IN A VERY SHORT TIME?

Lane Kiffin: “They’ve done a great job. To be 7-0 with all three new coordinators, strength coach and all these transfers it’s been a really exciting experience in seeing them come together. But now we’ve got a really big test and it’s the most-talented opponent by far that we’ve played.”

YOU WERE ON STAFF AT ALABAMA WITH KIRBY SMART AND BILLY NAPIER IN 2014 AND 2015. WITH (GEORGIA AND FLORDIA) PLAYING EACH OTHER AFTER THEIR BYES, WHAT DO YOU REMEMBER ABOUT WORKING WITH THEM AND THEIR PERSONALITIES?

Lane Kiffin: “Different personalities. Billy’s super smart, they both are. Kirby’s a little louder, more energetic. Billy’s more think through things. So, both did a great job and both phenomenal recruiters as well as Xs and Os guys.”

DO YOU HAVE A PARTICULAR FAVORITE MEMORY OF PLAYING IN BATON ROUGE FROM PREVIOUS TIMES?

Lane Kiffin: “Yeah, we played down there at Alabama and won in overtime. …I remember Kirby tackling me from one of those questions about Kirby. So, that was a pretty cool night.”

REMEMBER ANYTHING FROM THE FANS AT LSU GAMES. YOU PICKED UP A GOLF BALL AT THE TENNESSEE GAME, WAS THERE ANYTHING SIMILAR AT A LSU GAME?

Lane Kiffin: “No, not that way. Their fans are into it and there early. Very passionate, really loud and extremely well-educated on when to cheer. I know that.”

WHEN YOUR DAD WAS AN ASSISTANT COACH AT THE SAINTS DID YOU LIVE IN NEW ORLEANS AT ANY TIME?

Lane Kiffin: “I had just gone to college and been there so I did not.”

HOW INVESTED IN THE TENNESSEE – ALABAMA GAME WERE YOU WHEN YOUR GAME AGAINST AUBURN WAS OVER?

Lane Kiffin: “I missed a half, or whatever, after our game when we were recruiting. I got to watch some of it later on. Obviously an exciting game regardless of what side you were on or just watching to watch. Just a classic football game where it could go either way. Like I said earlier this week, one kick doesn’t go in, one goes in and the whole world’s changed.”