The playoff race is like a game of musical chairs, and right now, Alabama Crimson Tide is seated comfortably while head coach Lane Kiffin and Ole Miss circle the room, eyeing that last empty spot. Frustration is understandable, but as Fox Sports analyst Joel Klatt breaks it and flushes down all the “OHH why is Alabama in” noise surrounding, the Crimson Tide’s case for the playoff is simply stronger. And yes, he had receipts.

Speaking on The Joel Klatt Show, as he usually does, he sends the Lane Kiffin led Rebels side packing. Joel Klatt didn’t mince words. “I think the committee got it absolutely right putting Alabama over South Carolina and Ole Miss,” he stated, kicking off an analysis that left no wiggle room for Kiffin’s grumbles. According to Klatt, “Bama does have a better strength of schedule and I think you start right there now they both, have that that quality win Over Georgia.” It all boils down to three things: strength of schedule, quality wins, and bad losses. Kalen DeBoer led Alabama edges out Ole Miss in all three.

For starters, Alabama’s strength of schedule is superior, a key metric when weighing two teams with identical records, 9-3. Both teams boast a marquee win over Georgia, but here’s the kicker: Alabama faced tougher competition throughout the season. And while Ole Miss can argue they performed better against the Bulldogs, the deeper dive into their resumes reveals why Alabama holds the advantage. Then there’s the matter of bad losses, which the great analyst, Joel Klatt, didn’t sugarcoat. Ole Miss’s loss to Kentucky is a glaring blemish. As the ex-Buffs QB put it, “Kentucky won one game against Power Four opponents this year. One. That game happened to be at Ole Miss.” By contrast, Alabama’s losses—though not ideal—don’t carry the same weight of humiliation. For him, “That’s where all of a sudden, separation occurs.” Because that’s a resume, bruiser.

Klatt zeroed in on common opponents to drive the point home. LSU, for example, played both teams in Death Valley. DeBoer and Bama not only beat the Tigers but did so convincingly, while Ole Miss faltered after leading most of the game. “I get it Old Miss LED for the entirety of the game but they lost the game against the Tigers meanwhile Bama rolls in there and beat them handily,” Klatt remarked, emphasizing Alabama’s consistency in key matchups.

The playoff committee’s decision to keep Alabama in the at-large spot is also strategic. As Klatt pointed out, “Everything else is quite similar, and even Bama is better with their strength of schedule. So you’ve got the same record. You’ve got the same best win. You’ve got more quality wins for Alabama….that game is essentially knocking Ole Miss out of the playoffs.” Alabama has more quality wins, making them a more compelling choice for the final field. However, their fate still hangs by a thread, dependent on results from other conference matchups, like Clemson and SMU.

Coach Kiffin cuts a frustrated figure, which is expected—he’s doing what any coach would do for his program.

Lane Kiffin shed tears for his Miss side rather strangely

After Joel Klatt’s humbling down and explanation on why the Bama is in front of Ole Miss. Lane Kiffin is back at it again, stirring the pot—and this time, the College Football Playoff committee is in his crosshairs. The Ole Miss head coach didn’t hold back after his Rebels were placed 13th in the latest CFP rankings, questioning whether the committee members even watch football or if they’re just throwing darts at a map labeled, “actually watch the quality of players, teams, and road environments” and “just try and make the ACC feel relevant,” remarks.

Kiffin’s frustration centered on what he perceives as some favoritism for the ACC, a claim that might catch even ACC fans off guard. After all, this is the same conference whose undefeated champion (ahem, Florida State) couldn’t even sniff the top four in 2023. Historically, the ACC hasn’t exactly been spoiled with playoff invites, outside of Clemson’s glory years. Florida State and Clemson are the only ACC full members to have ever made the cut, and even that list is shorter than a three-and-out drive.

But Klatt’s analysis lays bare the harsh reality: the Rebels’ resume simply doesn’t measure up.