Paul Finebaum, the prominent SEC Network analyst, has been a vocal critic of Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin, despite the Rebels’ recent success under his leadership. In a recent interview with Tulsa World, Finebaum expressed his dissatisfaction with Kiffin’s coaching, calling it “underwhelming at times,” and even stated that he doesn’t find Kiffin’s tweets or humor particularly interesting[1].
This criticism comes as Ole Miss has enjoyed unprecedented success in the modern era, with the third-best record in the SEC since Kiffin took over five years ago and the sixth-best odds to win the national championship next season[1]. Kiffin, known for his active presence on social media, has not shied away from responding to Finebaum’s comments, often engaging in a war of words with the analyst and other fellow SEC coaches[1].
In a recent episode of “The Flagship,” a podcast discussing Ole Miss sports, hosts Zach Berry and Grayson Weir delved into the ongoing feud between Kiffin and Finebaum[2]. They discussed Finebaum’s prediction that the 2024 season will be a failure for Ole Miss if they miss the College Football Playoff[1].
Despite the ongoing tensions, Ole Miss has been making strides in the offseason, rebounding from a tumultuous week in the portal with a flurry of commitments, including Louisville outfielder Isaac Humphrey[1]. The Rebels are also preparing for the upcoming MLB Draft, where they are likely to lose signee Slade Caldwell but could potentially bring back a number of accomplished pitchers and veterans, such as Hunter Elliott[1].
The podcast hosts also discussed the strengthening of Ole Miss’ lineup, with the addition of Ryan Moerman from Illinois, Mitchell Sanford from UNO, and Luke Cheng from Illinois State, who is expected to move Luke Hill to second base[1]. However, they noted that the lineup was already pretty good last year[1].
In a separate article, Kiffin’s response to Finebaum’s comments about Nick Saban was highlighted. Kiffin took exception to Finebaum’s “stupid” quote, which he believed gave Saban “GOAT fuel” instead of the intended “rat poison”[4][5]. This exchange further illustrates the ongoing tension between Kiffin and Finebaum.
Despite the criticism from Finebaum, Ole Miss has proven its strength on the field, with three players making it onto EA Sports’ Top 100 players list for its College Football 25 video game[3]. This recognition further solidifies the Rebels’ position as a formidable force in college football.
As the 2024 season approaches, the feud between Kiffin and Finebaum is likely to continue, with both parties standing firm in their positions. However, Ole Miss remains focused on the task at hand, determined to prove their worth on the field and silence their critics.
In conclusion, the ongoing saga between Ole Miss football, Paul Finebaum, and “reverse rat poison” has captured the attention of college football fans and analysts alike. Despite the criticism from Finebaum, Ole Miss has continued to excel under Kiffin’s leadership, and the team remains poised for success in the upcoming season. As the rivalry between Kiffin and Finebaum intensifies, it will be interesting to see how it unfolds and how it ultimately impacts the Rebels’ performance on the field.