Lane Kiffin discusses 'amazing' lifespan of Mike Leach's Air Raid offense

After 2020’s dramatic finish, in-state rivals Ole Miss and Mississippi State are ready to square off again. As the Egg Bowl approaches, fans and media members alike fawn over a short week of quotes from Lane Kiffin and Mike Leach. In their opening press conferences, neither coach disappointed, delivering quality content which only promises to build ahead of Thursday’s game.

When asked about Mike Leach’s Air Raid offense, and its continued success, Lane Kiffin paid his rival the ultimate compliment.

“It really is amazing,” Kiffin told reporters during his Monday press conference. “It kind of goes against what you would think.”

After many doubters questioned the Air Raid, Leach proved them wrong. But again when he made an SEC move, people doubted him. Again, it appears his simple scheme can wreak havoc on any defense in the country.

“I think there was a thought out there amongst a bunch of people – including coaches – that the SEC had kind of figured it out last year and they had slowed down at parts there throughout the year,” said Kiffin. “And then obviously that wasn’t the case because their right back to where they started a season ago – like that LSU game – leading the country in passing offense. So it really is amazing, because you would not think you’d be able to be so simple in what you do and continue to work.”  

Mike Leach on offensive differences

Ole Miss claimed a victory in last year’s Egg Bowl, and Leach hopes to turn the tide in Starkville to put a bow on the 2021 regular season. In doing so, Leach’s Air Raid offense will have to find the same success it’s had all year; meanwhile, his defense will have to find a way to stop Kiffin’s dynamic offense, led by Heisman Trophy candidate Matt Corral.

“Well, they’re quite a bit different,” Leach said, comparing his Air Raid philosophy to Kiffin’s offense at Ole Miss. “[Ole Miss is] kind of an RPO offense, you know, run-pass option, and then the quarterback keeps it some. Both of us have some tempo going and both are trying to attack the field.”

So far, at least, so good, and for both teams. Ole Miss and Mississippi State both rank in the SEC’s top six in scoring offense, with the Air Raid averaging nearly 32 points per game at Mississippi State and Kiffin finishing with roughly 36 per game. Moreover, the Bulldogs’ offense has finally reached its potential in the past few weeks, helping the team improve its offensive yards per game to 452.27. Ole Miss still holds its position atop the SEC, averaging 517.45 yards per game.

Other than production, there remains one main similarity between the two offenses, according to Leach.

“In both, I think a good quarterback is key to it, too,” Leach said.