Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin has had a lot to say for a coach leading a team with three losses to currently unranked teams.
Kiffin has raised concerns about Clemson’s placement in the latest College Football Playoff rankings, criticizing the perceived imbalance between the strength of schedules in different conferences. Speaking on his radio show, Kiffin expressed frustration about the Tigers’ ranking, pointing to their schedule as weaker than that of SEC teams.
“We need to play really well, first off. That’s what’s in our control,” Kiffin said on his radio show Wednesday night. “And other things to happen. I’m not gonna get into the whole thing. And I’m not saying because of us. It’s ridiculous, the difference of playing in the SEC and the ACC and Big 12. To see these rankings – I’m not even doing the Ole Miss homer thing.
“To think that you’re looking at schools and you’re talking about, like, Clemson’s schedule and who they played over Alabama. It’s stupid. … I’m not gonna name them. Take some of those teams that are up there that haven’t played anybody and put them down in the SEC, they’re .500 teams.”
Despite the critique, Clemson (9-2) remains in playoff contention, needing a win over South Carolina to strengthen its resume. Kiffin’s frustrations come after Ole Miss’ loss to Florida, which has almost certainly ended their playoff hopes. Clemson’s consistent performance and upcoming rivalry game against South Carolina are key to their postseason ambitions, despite the criticism of their schedule.
Clemson is in a better situation than Kiffin and Ole Miss, no matter what the head coach feels.