Kiffin’s Rebels ‘don’t even discuss’ their Top 10 CFP ranking
Ole Miss this week came in at No. 10 in the only college football rankings that matter.
The College Football Playoff rankings.
The Rebels (7-1, 4-1) have an eight percent chance to make the playoff, according to SP+. They were tied with Notre Dame atop Tier 3, followed closely behind by Oklahoma (7 percent), Louisville (6 percent), Missouri (4 percent), LSU (2 percent) and Tennessee (1 percent).
“If you’re looking for something chaotic, here’s the group from which it will probably come,” ESPN’s Bill Connelly wrote. “If Georgia suffers an upset in the home stretch, it will likely come against a one-loss Ole Miss or Missouri or two-loss Tennessee, which could theoretically prompt a shocking SEC title run.”
Ole Miss, though, has more pressing matters.
“We don’t even discuss that ranking,” Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin said Wednesday. He was making his weekly appearance on the SEC teleconference call.
“It means nothing until the final one. If we don’t keep winning, none of those rankings matter. We’re focused on playing really well each week, like we try to do no matter what month it is.”
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Kiffin’s Rebels host Texas A&M (5-3, 3-2) Saturday at 11 a.m. CT on ESPN.
Ole Miss is a small favorite, and a win would set the stage for one of the most significant games in program history in a week’s time.
But, again, the Rebels aren’t counting their chickens before they hatch. In Kiffin’s estimation, the Aggies are one of the most talented groups in the country.
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“This has to be the most talented 5-3 team ever,” Kiffin said. “It’s just completely loaded with players everywhere. There’s matchup concerns. These guys are first in the country in sacks.
“We’re going to have to play really well, prepare really well, be creative and think outside the box to have a chance to beat these guys for a third time in a row.”
Ole Miss, meanwhile, is No. 4 nationally in sacks and No. 3 in SEC defensive scoring efficiency.
Ole Miss entered the week with a 5.9 percent chance at the playoff, according to ESPN’s FPI algorithm.
“They have a great program and do a phenomenal job, obviously, of raising money and getting great players,” Kiffin said of the Aggies. “So, I don’t have any issues with them. One of the top programs in the country.
“You have two great coordinators calling plays with (former Ole Miss defensive coordinator) DJ Durkin and Bobby Petrino. And with those great players, it’s a recipe to be really good.”
