Lane Kiffin and the Ole Miss Rebels have their hands full with the upcoming matchup against the LSU Tigers. However, the head coach didnât stutter to voice a sincere statement on a recent SEC announcement.
With the introduction of the SECâs 9-game season in college football starting in 2026, Kiffin and Ole Miss learned the three rival schools they will face in the next four years. However, and needless to say, Kiffin isnât too happy with the conferenceâs verdict.
The Rebels will see some familiar faces in the foreseeable future of college football. Following the SECâs newly announced in-league schedule, Ole Miss will face rivals Mississippi State, LSU, and Oklahoma over the next four NCAA seasons. However, according to Kiffin, the leagueâs executives may have taken the word ârivalâ a bit lightly.
âYeah, Oklahoma is really disappointing,â Lane Kiffin admitted, via On3. âWe donât have anything in common with them or our fans, so that doesnât make any sense at all. And so thatâs unfortunate with so many great teams that weâve played for a long time here, especially from our SEC West years. So thatâs unfortunate.â
Head coach Lane Kiffin of the Mississippi Rebels at Sanford Stadium.
Somebody had to
While Ole Miss and Oklahoma donât hold a grudge for each other, itâs not like they are friends, either. In the SEC, everybody disdains the other. Thatâs largely why it means more in this league.
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Still, with Oklahoma joining the conference last season, not many schools have a brooding rivalry with it. Aside from Texas, of course. Therefore, a program would always have to bite the bullet, it just so happened to be Kiffinâs Ole Miss.
What couldâve beenâŠ
Like Kiffin mentioned, perhaps there were better matchups to be had with other programs in the SEC. The head coach in Oxford referenced the now-extinct East and West divisions in the league. Taking those old days into account, these are some potential showdowns Ole Miss could be involved.
- vs Alabama
- vs Auburn
- vs Arkansas
- vs Texas A&M
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Though Kiffin was visibly frustrated with the SECâs decision on each programâs annual opponents, the assignments are only temporary. After four seasons, they will be reshuffled. Some intense rivalries, like OklahomaâTexas, will most likely remain intact, but Ole Miss could see its opponents changeâOklahoma included. Maybe Kiffin just needs to relax and wait, or voice an even louder outcry.
