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“DEEP SOUTH SOUNDS OFF ON LANE KIFFIN”
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They are happy at LSU.
Lane Kiffin is happy at LSU.
Not everyone is happy with what the school-coach did.

A close up essay from Front Office Sports.com on college football in the LSU-style
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After several weeks of hype, Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin made his decision to go to LSU, leaving college football worse off than it was before. We delve into the three biggest hypocrites in the soap opera. Plus, CBS’s John Talty tells us about the scene at the Oxford airport, where angry Ole Miss fans sent Kiffin on his way with the old one-finger salute.

—Michael McCarthy and Ryan Glasspiegel
3 Biggest Hypocrites in Lane Kiffin Soap Opera
Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images
In Tennessee Williams’s Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, the “powerful and obnoxious odor of mendacity” wafts through the Mississippi night. During this weekend’s Lane Kiffin soap opera, mendacity was the order of the day from Oxford to Baton Rouge.

Over just a few weeks, Kiffin nuked his carefully rebuilt image. On the cusp of the College Football Playoff, he quit on his Ole Miss players to defect to LSU. But Big Daddy Lane had help as other key players humiliated themselves in the court of public opinion. Left out of the equation, of course, were the players who trusted Kiffin’s promises and the fans who pay everybody’s salaries.

Here’s a power ranking of three of the biggest hypocrites in the tawdry saga, which resulted in another black eye for college football:

Lane Kiffin: We were told the coach who burned his bridges with Tennessee, USC, Alabama, and the Oakland Raiders had changed, matured. But guess what? Kiffin is going to Kiffin. The coach whom Al Davis called “a professional liar” wants to have his cake and eat it, too. If you want to walk out on your team for a better opportunity at LSU, go ahead. But don’t tell Ole Miss you still want to coach the team through the College Football Playoff. And don’t threaten to raid the coaching staff and roster on the way out unless you get your way. No wonder the Rebels threw Kiffin’s clothes out on the street.

It took Kevin Negandhi of ESPN to state what should have been obvious from the get-go: It’s a conflict of interest for one coach to effectively run two football programs at the same time. Did anybody really believe Monday’s ridiculous LSU press conference, where Kiffin said he doesn’t know how much he’ll make as Tigers coach? (Answer: $91 million over seven years.) About the only truth coming out of the stated performance was that super-agent Jimmy Sexton is the puppet master of college football. Super Bowl–winning coach Bill Cowher panned Kiffin’s behavior during an appearance with Dan Patrick. “Are you kidding me? Seriously? To even ask that question is arrogance,” said Cowher about Kiffin’s request to coach the Rebels through the CFP. “I think what happened there is a disgrace to the coaching profession. The coaching profession is about developing young men—it’s not about chasing the greener grass to somewhere else. Being an ambulance chaser.”

Nick Saban: The irascible coach dented his new, more likable image as a TV analyst and elder statesman by advising his former Alabama assistant on the move to LSU. As my Front Office Sports colleague Amanda Christovich asked: Why is a College GameDay analyst advising Kiffin on a decision that will reshape college football? Why was Saban running cover for Kiffin on GameDay? When Christovich reached out to ESPN (which, by the way, holds the TV rights to the SEC), it declined to comment. On the other hand, maybe Saban is the perfect guy to ask since he lied through his teeth about leaving the Miami Dolphins for the Alabama job back in 2007. If the old saw is true about college coaches only lying when their lips are moving, these two are made for each other. At least Saban admitted later he was full of it when he denied interest in the Crimson Tide. Will Kiffin do the same?

Gov. Jeff Landry: What happened to the Louisiana governor who went on a scorched-earth media tour decrying fired Tigers coach Brian Kelly’s $54 million buyout. The next LSU coach would have a “patently different contract,” vowed Landry. Oops. Kiffin’s potential buyout of $72 million would be bigger than Kelly’s. No matter. The governor is waving pom-poms for Kiffin’s hire, excitedly telling Fox News, “All I can tell you is we got a great big, beautiful Lane coming to LSU now.” Can you smell what’s coming out of LSU? That would be the unforgettable odor of mendacity.

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“COLLEGE FOOTBALL…COACHING CRISIS”
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What a weekend in college football.
Not the big games, which were fund to watch.
The Coaching Carousel spinning at high speed with hirings-firings.

LSU…Got their man in Lane Kiffin, and he got his dream job.  He’s moved around so much, been hired and bailed out; been hired and then fired too.  He’s had success and he’s left alot of wreckage in some places.  He now has big time assets in Baton Rouge, and that comes with big time pressure.  He’s slick and sleazy all at the same time.  You be the judge-you have been warned.

OLE MISS…Can they keep up what Kiffin brought them in Oxford?  Defensive Coordinator Pete Golding gets the chance, having done good things with the Rebels and prior to that Alabama.  First challenge, keep his QB-RB from following Kiffin to Louisiana.

FLORIDA…Known for developing QBs, they hired a QB-guru in John Sumrall who did amazing things at Tulane.  What a track record after he fixed all things wrong  with the Green Wave.  He has a classy reputation and a creative playbook.  Good times coming to the Gators.

AUBURN…Interesting to see what life is like with Alex Golesh from South Florida….This guy is a firebrand, but he needs lots of players to compete with the gang in Tuscaloosa….Work Hard-Win is his motto.

UCLA..A unique hire for a supposed Big 10-Team this signing of Bob Chesney of James Madison University (who), no not Dolly Madison University…History of Building small college programs…Glib, funny, honest, sincere, players coach.  He won at 1AA James Madison, did the same after fixing 1AA-Holy Cross, and also won at Division II-Assumption and Division III-Regina Salve.  A surprise hire.  A really troubled program.

ARKANSAS…a bit of a no-name but Ryan Silverfields-Memphis State went (50-25) at the basketball school.  Job well done.  And he can do it with the Razorbacks too.

VIRGINIA TECH..The first team to fill a job, with James Franklin taking the post after  getting tossed at Penn State…Great recruiting ties in the Northeast and South, and have a very impressive record, despite his failures in big games…Big time credibility moving into Blacksburg…..Just what the Hokies need.

MICHIGAN STATE…It happened quickly….Jonathon Smith crashed and burned because of QB problems, and was replaced by Pat Fitzergald, who had been sidelined by the hazing mess at Northwestern….His (110-101) record at a perennial bottom feeder in the Big 10-was something…He will fix things in East Lansing.

OREGON STATE…Big troubled in Corvallis, devoid of talent and money…Here comes a strong personality, Alabama WR-coach JaMarcus Shepard, who worked at Washington-Washington State and wound up with the Crimson Tide.  He recruits QBs-WRs and coaches them up.  A very good track record.

STANFORD…This is an Andrew Luck choice, unknown to alot of people, but a former teammate of Luck in the NFL, but Tavita Pritchard comes with credentials…WR coach of Washington Commanders-NFL style work with Jayden Daniels.

CALIFORNIA..Nick Rolovich finished the season as interim, and has a history of fixing teams, first at Hawaii, then at Washington State.

COLORADO STATE…Looks who is coming home-Jim Mora-Junior…Did a great job at U-Conn, starting from absolute ground zero at the basketball school…Been in the big time, at both UCLA and in the NFL in Atlanta and Seattle….With backing, expect some good things to happen in Fort Collins.

SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY…It came out of nowhere, the hiring of legendary RB-Marshall Faulk, with virtually no experience, but the recommendation of Deion Sanders…It continues the tradition of former NFL players taking jobs to resurrect HBCU programs.

Still open, Penn State and Kentucky, and a need to get those jobs filled with National Signing Date just about to start.

Most interesting aspect of what happened in the 48-hours of this weekend.  Brian Kelly and his (54M) contract, did not interview nor get offered by anyone.  The carousel continues to spin.
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“GOOD GAMES-BAD FOOTBALL-MUST SEE TV”
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CHARGERS…Quality leadership on display, with Justin Herbert playing with an injured left index finger, made enough throws, and his running backs stepped up with some big runs, and his defense added 5-sacks to their total, as the Bolts beat the Raiders.  That is their final easy game-with the final groupings including Dallas-Philadelphia-Kansas City-Denver-Houston.  You will have to argue alot infront of me the Bolts are an elite team in the AFC-especially since their QB keeps taking big hits, and who they have to play

RAIDERS..As I sat here in the middle of the 4th quarter-Las Vegas had (110Y) in total offense…Geno Smith had no clean pockets to throw out of…the defense could not cover…and the talent level around Maxx Crosby, Ashton Jeanty and Brock Bowers is terribly deficient.  This is an embarrassment to the NFL.

CHIEFS..Hard to believe Kansas City might miss the playoffs, but they are (6-6) and despite the brilliance of Patrick Mahomes, Andy Reid’s roster are missing quality offensive tackle play and a physical running game.  5-weeks to find a way to play some games in mid-January.

EAGLES…Something missing in Philadelphia with these last two losses..probably a healthy offensive line.

DENVER…Bo Nix keeps doing dynamic things, not every down, but enough to win games, and the Broncos’ defense is so fired up, they are dangerous…Nix outdueled Marcus Mariota-who nearly destroyed the Denver defense that was on the field for 84-plays-Sunday night..Nix (321Y) passing…Mariota (354-APY) in the loss

DETROIT..Not saying it’s over, but they have been beaten and likely are a wildcard team on the road this year…Looks like the NFL has caught up to Dan Campbell.

DALLAS…Can’t wait to see the next Cowboys game, what Dak-CD-Pickens do-no one can shut them down, and that defensive front getting tougher and tougher.

RAVENS..That run looks over, primarily because Lmar Jackson is no longer Lamar Jackson if he cannot move the pocket because he’s hurt.

CHICAGO..Guess we don’t have to ask about how this Caleb Williams-Ben Johnson relationship would work on offense-wow, a 9-win team.

49ERS…What a coaching job done by Kyle Shanahan, nine wins with all those injuries, even with a wild-armed Brock Purdy.

JAGUARS..Not impressive on the stat sheet, but Trevor Lawrence has this group at (8-4)

HOUSTON..What a streak at midseason, this 7-win Texans season because of their defense.

COLTS..Be concerned, QB-Daniel Jones is hurt, and they have lost 3-of-4.

ARIZONA…Cannot win any close games even with Jacoby Brissett throwing for a ton of yards each Sunday.

RAMS..Guess they are human, they lost, maybe a 1-off, with Matthew Stafford’s 3-turnover game

SEATTLE..Yes a good season by Sam Darnold, impressive season by this defense too.

MINNESOTA…What a QB mess, and Kevin O’Connell has a crisis on his hands.  Had to start rooke Max Brosmer because of injuries, and he threw 4-picks and lost a fumble in a bad loss.

BILLS..This week good, after some bad weeks, but Josh Allen keeps walking on water on most Sundays.

STEELERS..This is miserable, 5-losses in last-7-weeks.  Mike Tomlin has lost the town.  Wonder if he will lose his job

PATRIOTS…Is there a 10th win in a row coming..Drake Maye keeps making big plays every Sunday

CLEVELAND..Shedeur Sanders makes some plays, does not make the next play, but the defense always plays hard.

5-weeks to go, going to be wild.
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“FOOTBALL FRIDAY-WOW”
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Can you top what we saw on Thanksgiving Day in the NFL?  Well maybe on Friday and Saturday with the college menu upon us.

Rivalry weekend in college football:

OHIO STATE…Renew their ancient rivalry dating to Woody-vs-Bo, the Buckeyes face Michigan in a battle of bright young QBs, Jaylin Sayin-vs-Bryce Underwood.  A Buckeyes win, would snap a 4-game losing streak to the team up North, and send them to the Big 10 title game.

INDIANA…They have a walkover game against Purdue and that leads them to the Big 10-title game.  If this happens, the Hoosiers and Buckeyes would be both (12-0).  Egad-it feels like a national championship game next weekend doesn’t it.

TEXAS AM..Renews a bitter rivalry with Texas, which has lost 3-games.  Arch Manning is coming off big Saturdays and would love to knock the Aggies from the ranks of the unbeaten.

GEORGIA…The Bulldogs meet arch rival Georgia Tech in a matchup of quality QBs, Gunnar Stockton vs Haynes King.

OREGON..Renews its old Pac 12-hate with Washington, with QBs Dante Moore-Demond Williams throwing against each other.

OLE MISS…About to complete a great season, but the real story with the Rebels is what happens after the game, does Lane Kiffen stay as head coach or jump to LSU or Florida?

TEXAS TECH..The Red Raiders are finishing a fabulous season, but have to avoid an ambush on the road at West Virginia.

ALABAMA..ends its season with old in state rival Auburn in what has turned out to be a really great bounceback Tide season under  QB-Tyler Simpson

AZTECS…Play at New Mexico with the chance to win the regular season football race, and host the Mountain West Championship game.  What a season for the Aztecs defense.  What a season New Mexico has had, which includes a huge win over UCLA.  SDSU has to get rid of the ghosts of bad road losses this season at Washington State and Hawaii…A win makes them 10-2 with a home, what a turnaround season.

So much on the horizon in the next couple of hours.  Enjoy it.  I will.
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“TURKEY & FOOTBALL”
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Fun day around the NFL as you sit around the NFL table on Thanksgiving Day.

LIONS-PACKERS…What a war in the NFC-North this could be.  But the Packers are really banged up, down a tight end and 3-wide receivers.  It puts enormous pressure on Jordan Love (15TD-3Int).  The Micah Parsons-led defense has (29-sacks) and is giving up just (278YPG).  But the Green Bay schedule is tough, facing the Lions-Broncos-Ravens here at the end of the schedule.  The Lions have a tough run just ahead, in addition to the Packers, still to come Dallas-Rams.  That Lions offense has (40TD) this year, and Jared Goff has a (108-QBR).

CHIEFS-COWBOYS…KC is America’s team…Dallas-was America’s team…What a matchup…Patrick Mahomes has been relentless (3200APY-22TD) and chunk plays have returned  to their offense.  The (6-5) record is deceiving-they are dangerous.  But they finish the season with Dallas-Houston-Chargers-Denver…Dallas is explosive on offense and all the trades they have made, especially the Kenny Clarke-Quinnen Williams trades  have changed the defensive personality…They have cut 38-yards per game off their defense..though the secondary still looks leaky..Prescott’s offense (387YPG)..and Cee Dee Lamb-George Pickens have combined for (111R) and (15YPC)…But that pass defense has given up 24TDs this year….Just ahead for the Cowboys in addition to the Chiefs-they face the Lions and Chargers.

BENGALS-RAVENS…Things have changed alot….Joe Burrow has been gone but will come back, but Cincinnati has lost 8-of-9…Aside from the big play passing game-they are weak everywhere else because of a defense that has given up (415YPG-43TD)…Losers of 8-of-9, it will get worse-still to come, they play the Bills and then Baltimore again over the last 4-weeks….Baltimore’s defense is getting better, and Lamar Jackson is back-but not as explosive as he was…Lamar has a (111-QBR) and Derrick Henry is looking older and older…On defense-they have given up just 67-points in their last 5-wins, and they are storming to the top in a now weak AFC-North.

Enjoy Thanksgiving and your Football Thursday
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