Lane Kiffin thanks Greg Sankey, SEC for kickoff times this season: ‘I owe him a fishing trip’

On Monday, the SEC revealed Ole Miss will host Florida at 6 p.m. CT in their Week 12 showdown. Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin hasn’t been shy in the past to complain about his team’s kickoff times against conference opponents.

Alas, the tide has turned for Ole Miss this season. None of the Rebels’ three away games in the SEC thus far were in the night slot. Meanwhile, two of the Rebels’ three home games against SEC foes this season have been at night.

As previously stated, Ole Miss’ game against Florida will also be at night. Additionally, the Rebels’ regular-season finale at Mississippi State is set to kick off at 11 a.m. CT. On Monday, Kiffin discussed his gratitude for the Rebels’ favorable schedule this season.

“That’s great. That’s awesome to have another Saturday night in the stadium here,” Kiffin said. “Coaches, a lot of times, are whiny. We’re whiny, and we complain about things, but then when they go the direction that we like, they don’t say anything. They just want to complain. So everybody can point to that.

“I sent the commissioner, in that conversation, and sent him a message, said I owe him a fishing trip or something for this year. Four road games have been at night, three of the four at home this year [are at night]. … I think it’s 61% of SEC night games are won by the home team. So, I’m kind of always hoping for that. I think that’s a really good slot. Again, it’ll be about how well you play, but I can’t imagine it’s gonna be really warm. So, as much as I don’t like that, it probably favors us versus the opponent’s players.”

Ole Miss hasn’t allowed its rowdy home environments to go to waste this season. The Rebels are 6-0 at home. Their only loss this season was on the road against Georgia. Oddly, Ole Miss’ only afternoon game at home this season occurred before Lane Kiffin complained about the Rebels’ kickoff times.

“I’m over it. I just know what it’s gonna be. I told the commissioner… ‘We’re gonna play LSU, it’s gonna be day [here]. We’re gonna go down there, and it’s gonna be a night game,’” Kiffin said about having a 2:30 p.m. CT kickoff against LSU. “It is what it is. I’m sure we’ll be at night at Georgia, too… If you set [expectations] that way, you won’t be upset when it happens.”