“It’ll Be a Failure”: Paul Finebaum Attacks Lane Kiffin on Ole Miss’ Playoff Expectations After Making Brutal Jab at Coach Prime

Coach Prime is in Paul Finebaum’s crosshairs. But this time, the sportscaster predicts a doomed season if Lane Kiffin and the Ole Miss Rebels don’t make it to the CFP. But is it really so?

According to a post by CBS Sports last month, Kiffin and Ole Miss are among college football programs with high expectations in the expanded CFP era. Over the offseason, Kiffin has built a CFP roster relying on big-time transfer portal additions. While expectations are high, Finebaum noted that there would be harsh repercussions. 

Paul Finebaum makes a grim prediction for Lane Kiffin and Ole Miss

Paul Finebaum didn’t mince words on how the 2024 season would be for Lane Kiffin if Ole Miss didn’t make it to the CFP. During his appearance on the McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning podcast on June 17, he said, “It’ll be a failure. This is what he has been building towards, this is what he has been talking about.” Finebaum then cited the reasons Kiffin putting together a playoff team isn’t impossible. He said, “A couple of years ago, things did not look great from an NIL standpoint. He was able to reverse that. He aced the portal – everyone knows what he has got this year. He’s got one of the more experienced quarterbacks in the league and around the country.”

With one of the strongest rosters in the league, Lane Kiffin’s Rebels, led by Jaxson Dart, have their sights set on a CFP appearance this season. Finebaum ended his prediction with a sting saying, “So, I’m not sugarcoating it – it would be a complete and total failure if Lane Kiffin and Ole Miss don’t make the playoffs.” Savage opinions from Finebaum aren’t uncommon as he recently dealt another sharp blow to Deion Sanders.

Paul Finebaum throws Coach Prime under the bus

In another podcast by McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning on June 11, Paul Finebaum attacked Coach Prime as a coach. He flatly said, “It’s just a matter of being honest, I don’t consider him a great coach at all. He’s a Hollywood-created celebrity primarily because of what he did in other walks of life, namely playing football.” 

FOX Sports’ Joel Klatt’s prediction that the Colorado Buffaloes are in contention for the Big 12 Championship game comes after their 4-8 record last season. On August 29, Coach Prime and the Buffs will kick off their regular season against North Dakota State, while Lane Kiffin and the Rebels will face Furman on August 31 for their first game. Will the two HCs be able to prove Finebaum’s analysis wrong? Wait and watch.