Lane Kiffin ruthlessly trolled for losing to Kentucky's Mark Stoops

Lane Kiffin has never been shy about voicing his opinions, and his recent complaints about Ole Miss being left out of the College Football Playoff picture have drawn plenty of attention. However, one glaring fact makes those grievances harder to take seriously: the Rebels couldn’t beat Kentucky at home—a team that spiraled into a disastrous 1-6 record after the matchup, with their only win coming against a one-win Murray State squad.

Let’s break down the game first.

Missed Opportunities Galore

Kentucky’s 22-14 edge in first downs paints a clear picture: Ole Miss simply couldn’t sustain drives. The Rebels were a woeful 1-for-10 on third down, while the Wildcats weren’t much better at 4-for-16 but found ways to stay alive, converting all three of their fourth-down attempts. For a team eyeing the playoffs, Ole Miss’s inability to execute in key situations was glaringly bad.

Kentucky Controlled the Clock—and the Game

Ole Miss’s up-tempo offense thrives on quick strikes, but they couldn’t find a rhythm against Kentucky’s methodical game plan. The Wildcats dominated time of possession, holding the ball for a staggering 39:43 compared to Ole Miss’s 20:17. That’s nearly two-thirds of the game where Kiffin’s squad simply didn’t have the ball.

Turnovers and Penalties Tell the Tale

Kentucky played clean football, committing just three penalties for 30 yards and avoiding any turnovers. Ole Miss, on the other hand, gave up a fumble and was flagged eight times for 53 yards. Mistakes like these are playoff dreams’ kryptonite.

A Rushing Attack That Never Got Going

Both teams struggled to run the ball effectively, but Kentucky’s relentless 47 rushing attempts at least kept Ole Miss’s defense honest. Meanwhile, the Rebels managed just 29 carries, averaging 3.2 yards per rush—not nearly enough to establish control or balance.

A Kentucky Team in Decline

Perhaps the most damning aspect of this loss for Ole Miss is what followed for Kentucky. The Wildcats went 1-6 after this game, with their lone victory coming against a hapless Murray State team. The Cats finished 4-8 with their only p4 win being Ole Miss. If Ole Miss couldn’t handle Kentucky at home, how could they make a legitimate case for inclusion in the playoff?

And now to the fans trolling Kiffin:

Lane Kiffin’s frustration is understandable, especially given the blowouts we saw, but his team’s performance against Kentucky undermines the argument. The Cats were the ultimate spoiler, something positive from the 2024 season.