Paul Finebaum believes LSU is 'better job' for Lane Kiffin than Florida

There’s about to be an arms race for Lane Kiffin and it could be led by LSU, according to ESPN’s Paul Finebaum. Now that Brian Kelly is out of a job in Baton Rouge, LSU is open once again.

But as Finebaum discussed Monday, LSU and Florida will have to go head to head for Kiffin, who’s guided Ole Miss to a 7-1 mark with four games to play. The College Football Playoff could be next for Kiffin, who might be in the middle of his best coaching job and team overall.

But if LSU and Florida come knocking, to keep Kiffin in the SEC with potentially other worldly infrastructure, there’s one job in Finebaum’s mind. Kiffin might have a harder time saying no to LSU.

“It’s a close call, but in my mind LSU is a better job,” Finebaum said on Get Up. “It just has a great infrastructure down there. As I say that I realized that they fired the last three or four coaches, but I think Lane Kiffin fits that culture pretty well. He’s familiar with it. He’s also familiar with Florida, as we said last week, but I don’t think there’s any question that of the jobs opening, LSU is going to be the one that everybody wants.”

Granted, Ole Miss could do whatever it takes to keep Kiffin in town for the foreseeable future. But if there’s a bidding war, it seems LSU and Florida are the two schools most capable of driving up the price for the head coach.

“There’s no doubt Lane Kiffin will be at the top of the list, and I know that sounds familiar, he’s at the top of the Florida list and probably anybody else’s list, but that’s who he is,” Finebaum said. “He’s a charismatic coach. He’s colorful, and he’s also an offensive genius, as we saw Saturday in Norman when Ole Miss beat Oklahoma in a mild upset. So will Kiffin leave is the question. His team has just about already stamped a playoff bid. That will be the question as we get closer to the end of the season.”

Kiffin won’t be taking any jobs any time soon while Ole Miss remains in the SEC and College Football Playoff race. The Rebels are going to have a few more chances at big celebrations with home fans. That includes the next three games at their place. Among them is a visit from Florida, the team rumored to be interested in poaching Kiffin. First, however, the focus is going to be on South Carolina.