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Florida Gators are officially bowl-bound! After a hard-fought win over Ole Miss,

Lane Kiffin’s only response was, “So obviously very disappointing outcome today; you know a game with a lot of missed opportunities.” Ouch! Looks like the Gators’ victory might have left a bitter taste in the Rebels’ mouths. As they witnessed their hopes for the playoffs fade away, Kiffin is faced with more than just a challenging postseason. Alongside struggles in the red zone and rumors of potential changes, the Rebels HC subtly suggested that factors beyond the football field are influencing his choices. With his honest and passionate comments, fans are left pondering whether personal factors will play a role in his upcoming important decision.

What’s your perspective on:

Did Lane Kiffin's personal ties to Mississippi cost Ole Miss their playoff dreams against the Gators?

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The game against the Gators was one of the biggest opportunities, and Kiffin and the team blew it badly. This loss again started the whole old narrative of Lane Kiffin moving to the Florida Gators next year, but that’s not something present on his bucket list, as, on November 26, an insider shared a tweet on his future plans with the team. “Mississippi is a very misunderstood state until you live here. Then you get it. It’s a really special place to me,” the Rebels coach said. Lane Kiffin is Rebels loyal, and time and again he has only denied this rumor.

 

 

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However, there might be another reason for his inclination towards Mississippi. Last year, rumors swirled about Lane Kiffin bolting for Auburn. But guess who talked him out of it? His daughter, Landry! She is a student at Ole Miss, so Kiffin couldn’t leave her behind. Family first, right? “This has become a place that really growing into and seeing Landry coming to the high school now college and so many relationships with many people,” he added. Well, there is no way Kiffin is going to stay away from his beloved daughter.

But even if the Rebels are not losing their head coach, Lane Kiffin, they almost lost their playoff hopes after their loss against the Gators. Whatever the team’s outcome in the game, Kiffin is surely not joining the Florida Gators after this loss.

Is it an end for Lane Kiffin’s Rebels playoff hopes?

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Well, coach Billy Napier’s Florida Gators did something no one expected them to do. The team not only made the Rebels cry to score in the game but also beat ranked teams in consecutive weeks for the first time since 2008. That’s quite an achievement, but this loss can reflect badly on Ole Miss’s further readings in the playoff projection, and there is a chance they might even not get listed in this week’s rankings. However, Lane Kiffin’s Rebels did secure a remarkable win against the Bulldogs, which was almost like a turning point in their standings in the season. But now losing against the Gators is only making it worse for them.

Even analyst Paul Finebaum didn’t hold himself from criticizing Ole Miss Rebels for their gameplay despite having a strong team with a leader like Kiffin who excels in offense play-calling. Finebaum said, “I mean, he’s got talent all over the field, and there just isn’t really an excuse.” That’s true. The Gators recorded four sacks, nine tackles for loss, and two additional turnovers against Ole Miss. The offense failed miserably and ultimately made them a team that “is going to win the National Championship” to “they’re going to be out of the playoffs.” real soon.

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