Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin has never been one to shy away from sharing his opinions, and this week he’s set his sights on the College Football Playoff (CFP) committee. Known for his unfiltered remarks, Kiffin delivered a scathing critique of the CFP selection process while also taking direct shots at the perceived weakness of the Big 12, Big Ten, and ACC conferences.
Speaking to reporters, Kiffin doubled down on his belief that the SEC is being undervalued despite being the most competitive conference in college football. With championship week in full swing and the playoff picture still murky, Kiffin’s pointed remarks have added even more fuel to the ongoing debate about how the CFP committee evaluates teams.
Kiffin’s main criticism centers around what he perceives as a bias against SEC teams in favor of programs from weaker conferences. The SEC, widely regarded as the toughest conference in college football, routinely produces multiple national title contenders. However, Kiffin believes that the CFP committee places too much emphasis on records rather than the strength of competition.
> “The problem is, you look at some of these teams in the Playoff conversation, and they haven’t played anyone all year,” Kiffin said. “Meanwhile, SEC teams are out here going through a gauntlet every week, but somehow that doesn’t seem to count as much.”
Kiffin’s frustration is likely rooted in Ole Miss’ own experience this season. The Rebels finished with a 10-2 record, with their only losses coming against Alabama and Georgia—two teams consistently ranked in the top five. Despite this, Ole Miss has been largely left out of the playoff discussion, and Kiffin believes that’s emblematic of a larger issue.
Kiffin didn’t hold back when discussing the other Power Five conferences, taking particular aim at the Big 12, Big Ten, and ACC.
> “Look at some of these conferences. In the Big 12, you’ve got teams playing each other twice just to fill out a schedule. The Big Ten has a couple of great teams, but half their conference is a cakewalk. And the ACC? Let’s be honest—there’s one team carrying the whole league,” Kiffin said.
The Ole Miss coach’s comments reflect a broader sentiment in SEC circles that teams from other conferences have an easier path to the CFP. The Big Ten, for instance, has often been criticized for its lopsided divisions, with teams like Michigan and Ohio State dominating while others struggle to remain competitive. Similarly, the Big 12 and ACC have faced scrutiny for their overall lack of depth compared to the SEC.
Kiffin pointed out that SEC teams face elite competition nearly every week, making it harder to maintain a perfect record but more indicative of a team’s true strength.
Amid his criticism, Kiffin also reiterated his support for the upcoming expansion of the College Football Playoff to 12 teams, which begins in 2024.
> “The expansion is going to help fix some of this,” Kiffin said. “Right now, the system punishes teams for losing close games to elite competition, while rewarding others for coasting through weak schedules. That’s not how it should work.”
The expanded format is expected to provide more opportunities for teams from the SEC and other competitive conferences to make the Playoff, potentially alleviating some of the issues Kiffin raised.
As expected, Kiffin’s comments sparked a strong reaction on social media. SEC fans largely rallied behind him, echoing his belief that the CFP committee undervalues the strength of SEC teams. Meanwhile, fans from other conferences were quick to defend their programs and point out the SEC’s own shortcomings, such as its reliance on non-conference matchups against smaller schools early in the season.
National analysts also weighed in, with some agreeing that Kiffin has a point about the inconsistencies in the CFP selection process. Others, however, argued that his comments were self-serving, given that Ole Miss was never a serious contender for a Playoff spot this season.
While Kiffin’s criticisms may ruffle feathers, they underscore a larger debate about how college football’s most prestigious tournament should be structured. As the sport moves toward an expanded Playoff, many hope that the new format will provide a more equitable way to evaluate teams.
For now, however, Kiffin’s remarks are a reminder of the intense regional rivalries and differing perspectives that make college football so compelling. Whether you agree with him or not, one thing is certain: Lane Kiffin is never afraid to speak his mind, and the sport is more entertaining because of it.