One look over on social media would have you think the expanded CFP entails about 24 teams, not 12. Every fanbase believes their school is getting in, or at least making the case for it. Even Lane Kiffin chimed in on the discourse. The Separate factions are divided over what weapons they are deploying. Strength of schedule, quality wins, quality losses or even prestige and stature. All of this and more is baked into the latest iteration of the AP Poll, which is as polarizing as ever.

The precursor to the CFP committee’s rankings is well superseded by the latter. But it does provide a glimpse of the direction in which the wind is blowing among the powers that be. Easily, the biggest talking point in the aftermath of the weekend has been the teams in the playoff bubble. This includes the 9-3 SEC teams and the much-maligned ACC outsider, Miami. Based on how the pieces fell, according to the AP, two renowned CFB reporters were in agreement about the misplacement of Ole Miss.

In the latest iteration of the “Until Saturday” podcast, The Athletic’s David Ubben and Chris Vannini echoed their disdain with the AP poll. They’re in conjunction with Ole Miss’ disposition behind South Carolina in 15th and 13th, respectively, which is misplaced. Vannini also laid the proverbial hammer on SCal’s playoff hopes. “I personally don’t think [South Carolina] can be [a playoff team]. The AP [has] put them ahead of Ole Miss, who spanked him in Columbia. That’s what I don’t get,” he said.

David Ubben added more context which boosts Lane Kiffin and his Rebels’ case. “Ole Miss didn’t [just] beat South Carolina. They won 27-3. In South Carolina. This is why they’re ahead of them in the pecking order for the playoffs”. Ubben accepts, however, that there are more facets in play than just the head-to-head. “After Saturday’s win, South Carolina has three top-25 wins. Ole Miss has one. But it is Georgia. That matters. It’s close. But I think [with] that head-to-head, man, [it’s going] to be tough if you have the same record.”

SCal reinvigorated their season in the final stretch. The Gamecocks finished with 6 wins on the spin, including 4 against fellow SEC teams. However, their early-season missteps still factor into the overall perception around them. A blowout loss to the Rebels in their backyard and a consecutive loss to Bama in early October may be an obstacle they cannot negotiate.

Lane Kiffin takes matters into his own hands in desperation

Lane Kiffin’s predicament was, in the first place, caused by another SEC team that ran hot towards the tail end. Ole Miss’ loss to the Gators was widely considered the nail in the coffin for their CFP hopes. But teams around them continued to cannibalize each other, and the Rebels still had a case.

Now, the eccentric Kiffin isn’t averse to going against the tide with his actions. He often does things you’d hardly expect from a head coach. Turns out he’s not changing that notion anytime soon. In his latest stunt, Lane Kiffin took to X to post a list of reasons why Ole Miss should be in the CFP.

Not only did he directly plead with the committee by tagging them in the post, but he even fired some not-so-subtle shots at an adversary in the reckoning. “Clearly, Ole Miss should be in the playoff over Alabama, but Bama is the bigger brand and more than likely will get in over Ole Miss,” read the final sentence of his elaborate breakdown. 

This call to action directly from the Rebels’ head honcho will inadvertently reach members of the committee. It has already gained plenty of accordance from fans and experts alike. Will his plea fall on deaf ears? Or will Lane Kiffin’s perceived recklessness actually work in his favour this time around? The penultimate CFP rankings will perhaps dispel these questions but raise new ones.