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Lane Kiffin explains how Ole Miss is approaching facing Jalen Milroe, multiple Alabama QBs

IMG_0985by: Griffin McVeigh09/20/23griffin_mcveigh
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Alabama QB Jalen Milroe. (John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports)

Ole Miss is set to open SEC play against Alabama, a game head coach Lane Kiffin certainly circles on a yearly basis. This matchup will be a little different for both sides, though. In Tuscaloosa, there is not a first-round draft pick quarterback on the roster at the moment. Previously, Kiffin’s teams had to prepare for Mac Jones and Bryce Young.

Jalen Milroe is set to be the guy on Saturday but Kiffin was still asked if he is preparing to face multiple quarterbacks. And with how well Kiffin knows Nick Saban, his guess is as solid as anybody out there. He is assuming Alabama is not planning on sending anyone other than Milroe out there.

“I think he was very clear on who he is going with,” Kiffin said during Wednesday’s SEC Coaches Teleconference. “I don’t foresee multiple quarterbacks playing. He’s already made this switch a couple of times already. Knowing him, he’s going to stay in this direction.”

At least leading into the game, Kiffin is correct. Saban said he has not considered playing a two-quarterback system. Milroe is going to be the guy against Ole Miss and Alabama is not anticipating a change to be made during the game.

Ole Miss ‘familiar’ with Jalen Milroe due to Pete Golding

Milroe only has three starts under his belt, two coming this season against Middle Tennessee State and Texas. However, at least one person on the Ole Miss staff is familiar with Milroe. Defensive coordinator Pete Golding watched his team practice against him on a daily basis when he was working under Saban.

Lane Kiffin calls Milroe a “challenging” player to go against, even if there is familiarity.

“We have a very challenging player that we’re very familiar with,” Kiffin said. “With our defensive coordinator being there and knowing him.

“Watching him play not just this year but last year when he had to play the (Texas) A&M game, which was a road team coming in there and took them down to the last play. So, this is a very challenging quarterback to play against.”

Milroe has completed 60% of his 45 attempts this season, going for 449 yards, five touchdowns, and two interceptions — both of which occurred in the loss to Texas. Part of the reason Milroe brings a different element to the offense is because of his feet. On 22 carries, he has 92 yards and two touchdowns.