Everything else Lane Kiffin said during SEC Teleconference ahead of Kentucky
The real season is here for Ole Miss and head coach Lane Kiffin with Southeastern Conference play starting this weekend. All of the non-conference chatter is over after the Rebels went 4-0 in September.
Now No. 14 Ole Miss hosts No. 7 Kentucky (4-0, 1-0 SEC) on Saturday to jump start October and the final nine weeks of the regular season.
Kiffin made his weekly appearance on the SEC Coaches Teleconference on Wednesday to discuss Kentucky and several other topics. Here is everything Kiffin had to say.
Related: Some of Ole Miss’ new playmakers on offense still trying to find their way
OPENING STATEMENT
Lane Kiffin: “This is a really, really good team coming in that has been coaches well for years. Coach (Mark) Stoops has done a phenomenal job. Outside of Alabama and Georgia, has won more than anybody in the conference over a few years time. They’re very challenging because they really hard, very physical. Really big plays and run a lot of formations and looks on offense. They get back arguably their best player in the team for our game.”
With Kentucky getting back Chris Rodriguez how difficult of a challenge is it when he hasn’t played this season and it’s first game for the Wildcats?
Lane Kiffin: “That’s huge for them. Get a guy fresh at that position that can carry the ball a lot. It’s very challenging and we’re going to have to play the run a lot better than we did last week.”
Your run game, in particular, coach. A lot has been made of the success you’ve had. From your opinion how well do you think your offense has sustained that run game through a third of the season?
Lane Kiffin: “I think somebody said we’re second in the country in rushing or something in Power 5. That’s a combination of a lot of things. Obviously the running backs, the O-line. But receivers and tight ends blocking well. We’re going to have our biggest challenge on that against a very good (defensive) front and linebackers always come downhill led by Jacquez Jones. Jones played really well when he was here and has improved since then. Improved last year to this year. Going to have our hands full.”
What do you like about Will Levis?
Lane Kiffin: “I think he’s very accurate. He knows what he’s doing really well. Makes no mistakes. Moves around, gets himself out of trouble. Looks like a veteran quarterback.
How would you define Kentucky’s defense under Mark Stoops?
Lane Kiffin: “They are really tough, challenging. In different third down packages. Very multiple and really good job of utilizing their players. Program with true freshman starting already says a lot about coaching.”
You mentioned your rushing attack and how well you’ve been able to run the football this year. What do you want to see from your offensive line and your receivers in terms of blocking for that rushing attack going into this Kentucky game?
Lane Kiffin: “Just consistency. We play what I think is the best talent that we’ve played on defense. They’re really big up front, strong. We’re going to have to continue to improve.”
You’ve got one of the unique perspectives of having coached in the NFL and college level. What are your thoughts on an injury report coming to college football? Do you think it’s warranted, needed?
Lane Kiffin: “I can see anything trickle down and be enforced. Targeting rule. Some rule changes, kickoff. I mean there’s all kinds of stuff that has trickled down that may seem like it wouldn’t make sense but when it does, it does. If they made rules coaches would have to abide by them.”
