Shocking: What A Controversy As Coach Kiffin Blast The… see… more

Oxford, MS – Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin did not hold back his frustration after the College Football Playoff (CFP) selection committee released its final rankings, leaving the Rebels outside the playoff bracket. In a fiery critique, Kiffin slammed the committee’s decisions, calling the rankings “ridiculous” and “stupid.”

The controversy stems from Ole Miss’ No. 13 placement in the rankings, which kept them out of the first-ever 12-team playoff. While SEC rivals like Alabama and Georgia secured spots, Kiffin argued that his team deserved consideration over teams from less competitive conferences.

Kiffin’s Frustration with the CFP Rankings

During a press conference following the announcement, Kiffin did not mince words.

> “It’s just ridiculous. The whole system is flawed. You’ve got teams in there who didn’t play anywhere near our schedule, and somehow they’re in. It makes no sense,” Kiffin said.

Kiffin took particular issue with how the committee ranked teams based on conference championships rather than overall strength of schedule and performance against top-tier opponents. He pointed out that Ole Miss, which finished the season at 9-3, played in the grueling SEC, while teams from the ACC and Big 12 faced what he considered an easier path.

> “We had to play Alabama, Georgia, and LSU. Some of these other teams are playing cupcakes all year and getting rewarded. It’s stupid,” Kiffin continued.

Criticism of the Expanded Playoff System

The 2024 season marked the first year of the CFP’s expanded 12-team format, designed to give more teams a shot at the national championship. However, the new system includes automatic bids for conference champions, a rule that Kiffin believes unfairly favors teams from weaker conferences.

Under the new rules, teams like Florida State and Washington automatically qualified for higher seeds despite playing what Kiffin and other critics consider weaker schedules. Ole Miss, on the other hand, had to compete in the ultra-competitive SEC, where multiple top-10 matchups occur each season.

Kiffin also pointed to Wake Forest as an example of ACC teams avoiding competition, recalling how the Demon Deacons backed out of a future matchup with Ole Miss after suffering a blowout loss in a previous game.

> “That tells you everything you need to know. They don’t want to play us, but somehow their conference champ gets a top-four seed? It’s laughable,” he said.

Ole Miss’ Resume and Missed Opportunities

While Kiffin’s frustration is understandable, analysts have noted that Ole Miss did not help its own case. The Rebels finished 9-3, but their losses to LSU, Kentucky, and Florida hurt their playoff chances.

Some committee members reportedly believed that Ole Miss lacked a signature win against a top opponent. Their best victory came against Texas A&M, which finished the season unranked. In contrast, teams like Alabama and Michigan had wins over top-five opponents, strengthening their resumes.

ESPN analyst Paul Finebaum weighed in on the controversy, suggesting that while Kiffin had valid points, Ole Miss ultimately fell short because of its losses.

> “Look, Lane’s got a right to be mad, but they lost three games. If they beat Kentucky or LSU, maybe we’re having a different conversation,” Finebaum said.

What’s Next for Ole Miss?

Despite missing the playoffs, Ole Miss is still expected to receive a prestigious bowl bid. The team will likely face a top-ranked opponent in a New Year’s Six bowl, giving them an opportunity to prove they belonged in the CFP conversation.

Kiffin, known for his outspoken nature, has never shied away from criticizing college football’s governing bodies. His latest comments have reignited discussions about how teams should be evaluated for playoff inclusion.

As the playoff format continues to evolve, Kiffin and others may push for further adjustments to prevent what they see as unfair exclusions. For now, though, Ole Miss will have to settle for a high-profile bowl game rather than a shot at the national title.

“We’ll go play whoever they give us, and we’ll show why we should have been in,” Kiffin vowed.

With the playoff field set and the controversy still brewing, all eyes will be on how the teams perform—and whether Kiffin’s criticisms prove valid when the games begin.