Lane Kiffin issues challenge to Ole Miss fans after LSU win

Ears in Oxford are not going to perk up when they hear Washington State is in town for an 11 a.m. local kickoff. Ole Miss remains undefeated and Lane Kiffin is attempting to sell this one as ‘No. 1 in the SEC vs. No. 1 in the Pac-12.’ Not factually incorrect from Kiffin, as the Rebels are 3-0 in SEC play and Washington State is one of two teams in the Pac-12.

His overall desire remains the same, either way. Kiffin wants Vaught Hemingway Stadium to be ready to go on Saturday. If the on-field expectations are going to be high for Ole Miss, he wants the same energy for people in the crowd.

“I challenge our fans to show up,” Kiffin said. “I was thinking, as fans, rightfully so, we can’t stand when a team comes out flat or doesn’t show up and waits a half to start playing well. That’s what fans expect of coaches and players. So, why wouldn’t we be the same? Last Saturday was electric here in the stadium and before on the walk. I understand a lot of it is because they hate LSU.

“But why not show up like that every week? This one, an early kick, it would be awesome our fans to do that and show up the same way. Students, everybody, because it’s the biggest game of the year, because it’s the only game we have this week. Let’s coach, play, and cheer the same way.”

A bye week did separate us from now and the LSU game. It’s still one Ole Miss has to be riding high off of, taking down one of the program’s main rivals. Doing so in a ranked matchup only made matters better, potentially announcing itself as a real threat in the SEC this season.

Conference play gets started again on Oct. 18. It’s the first of two massive road games for the Rebels, heading to Athens to face Georgia and then Norman for a showdown against Oklahoma. Of the seven games remaining on the schedule, those are the only two teams currently ranked.

Fans could easily be looking ahead to what’s to come in those matchups. Kiffin is having none of it, though. Supporting Ole Miss for the Washington State game is at the top of his mind. So, a pregame calling out took place during his press conference. And you just know a review will come postgame.