Impact of Lane Kiffin’s Departure on Ole Miss Playoff Hopes

Seventh-ranked Ole Miss is making history by heading to the College Football Playoff for the first time. After an impressive 11-win season, they capped things off with a decisive 38-19 victory over Mississippi State in the Egg Bowl.

This blog post digs into the factors shaping their playoff seeding, what a playoff game could mean for Oxford’s economy, and the uncertainty around head coach Lane Kiffin’s future with the team.

Ole Miss’ Historic Season and Playoff Prospects

The Rebels’ season has been nothing short of remarkable. With an 11-1 record, they’re set up for their first-ever shot at the College Football Playoff.

They’re in line for one of the selection committee’s seven at-large bids. But, honestly, their final seeding depends on a few wild cards—how other teams finish out the year and, not least, what Lane Kiffin decides to do next.

Factors Influencing Ole Miss’ Playoff Seeding

Several things will shape where Ole Miss lands in the final playoff bracket:

• The performance of teams ranked ahead and behind them in the playoff rankings
• Lane Kiffin’s decision on whether to stay with Ole Miss or move to LSU

Right now, Oregon sits just ahead of them, while Oklahoma, Notre Dame, and Alabama are nipping at their heels. The committee’s call will depend on the results of upcoming games and, honestly, whether Kiffin sticks around or not.

The Economic Impact of Hosting a Playoff Game

Hosting a College Football Playoff game could be a huge deal for Oxford, Mississippi. Oxford Mayor Robyn Tannehill says the financial boost might top $50 million—which is already the average revenue from an Ole Miss home game during the regular season.

For some perspective, Georgia’s home game in 2024 raked in $71.7 million. Imagine what a playoff game could do.

Timing and Economic Considerations

The timing of the playoff game matters a lot for the local economy. A night game, especially on a Saturday in primetime, would keep fans in town longer and fill up hotels and restaurants.

But if it’s an afternoon game on December 20, the economic bump could be a bit smaller. Timing really is everything sometimes, isn’t it?

Lane Kiffin’s Future and Its Implications

Lane Kiffin’s next move is hanging over everything. He’s weighing a possible jump to LSU or sticking with the Rebels, and that decision is expected soon.

It’s not just gossip—the committee is watching closely, and Kiffin’s choice could actually sway their perception of Ole Miss.

Potential Impact of Kiffin’s Departure

If Kiffin leaves, the selection committee might rethink the team’s ranking. Committee chair Hunter Yurachek has said that losing a key coach could factor into their discussions.

Remember 2023, when Florida State got left out after their star quarterback went down? It’s not unprecedented for the committee to make a tough call like that.

Without Kiffin, Ole Miss could be seen as less competitive and possibly slip behind Notre Dame, which would hurt their chances of hosting a first-round game. Still, if Alabama and Texas A&M lose during rivalry weekend and Ole Miss makes the SEC Championship Game, their seeding might hold up—even if Kiffin moves on.

Conclusion

Ole Miss making it to the College Football Playoff? That’s a pretty big deal for the program. Their final seeding depends on a bunch of things—outcomes of other big games, and honestly, what happens with Lane Kiffin next.

If Oxford gets to host a playoff game, that could mean a decent economic boost for the town. It’s just another reason this season feels different.

Everyone’s waiting for those final playoff rankings. The anticipation is real, and you can feel it among fans and folks around the program.

Want to dig deeper? The full article’s over at CBS Sports.