Bryant McFadden: Lane Kiffin win vs. Oklahoma is 'biggest in his career'

Lane Kiffin had two big achievements in Saturday’s win over Oklahoma. Ole Miss stayed squarely in the mix for the College Football Playoff, and Kiffin got a road victory over a ranked team.

As a result, CBS Sports’ Bryant McFadden said it was a crucial game for Kiffin’s career. He called it his biggest win yet.

McFadden said the fact Kiffin and Ole Miss found a way to take down No. 13 Oklahoma was paramount after last week’s loss to Georgia. Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss was a big part of that attack, and his performance was even more impressive considering the sloppy field conditions.

“Biggest win for Lane Kiffin in his career there with the Rebels because up until this point, he was 0-fer in these moments, playing on the road against an AP-ranked team, correct? He’s never beaten a ranked team on the road,” McFadden said. “So for him to exorcise those demons and find a way to finish this game compared to what they did not do last week – remember, they had a double-digit lead against UGA on the road and they squandered that opportunity. Today, he found a way.

“Shouts out to Trinidad Chambliss. He played high-level football, he made timely plays in not the most ideal conditions. He made plays with his legs.”

McFadden pointed out some questions about Kiffin’s decision-making, though. One of those situations came in the second quarter when Austin Simmons threw two passes from the 5-yard line even though Chambliss was on the field. ESPN’s Greg McElroy pointed it out on the ABC broadcast.

But the Ole Miss defense rose to the occasion and made the key plays. As a result, McFadden said the Rebels are firmly in position to make the CFP for the first time.

“Even though us as a staff here watching, we had some concerns about Lane Kiffin’s decision-making ability in the red zone,” McFadden said. “But his team made plays and this defense bowed their back, and they came up with the necessary stops to be able to potentially – as we see it today, they stamped their ticket into the playoffs.

“Now, granted, a lot of football left to be played. But this was that deciding game we needed to see from Ole Miss to be able to say, ‘You know what? They’re in.’ So if the season was to end today, Ole Miss would be in the playoffs, for sure.”