Everything Lane Kiffin had to say on this week's SEC teleconference call
Ole Miss second-year head coach Lane Kiffin joined the SEC teleconference on Wednesday ahead of this week’s game against Vanderbilt. Here’s everything he had to say.
Opening Statement: “Senior Night. SEC Game. A chance to get to nine wins on the season. It’s really awesome and I think we’ve won eight or something in a row at home. So, If we can keep the home winning streak it’d be really cool.”
On being able to manage Texas A&M’s blitzing last week: “We did well out in the field, we screwed up in the red zone a few times. I think protection was fine.”
On Alabama linebacker Will Anderson, Jr. and what makes him effective: “He’s arguably the most dynamic in all of college football. I called him the predator when we played him. Just tearing everything up that he’s around like the movie. So, he’s a major issue.”
“Plays wide and rushes like an edge rusher but then he comes inside and beats up the guards and tackles on the inside, too, which is kind of crazy. Just a relentless effort.”
On the effectiveness of home crowds with recruits who attend games: “Depends on which game they’ve come to. We’ve kind of heard both. We’ve been at capacity so that is important. It’s probably hard for fans to understand that. Your current players, obviously, like this one with Senior Day and them having the opportunity of not seeing empty seats. But, recruits and people who recruit against you. That’s recruiting. They show pictures of your stadium. Playing a big game and it’s not full and stuff. They used that against you. It’s very important for stadiums to be full. Especially when you’re in the SEC trying to recruit and play at a high level.”
On comparing importance to full stadiums to being the only game playing national television in prime time like the Louisville game and Egg Bowl: “When you’re the only slot, especially in a non-football night when everyone is not playing high school or other colleges. When you’re the only slot like that Monday or this Friday, you get a lot of viewers.”
On how the team is handling the opportunity of a 10-win regular season and a New Year’s Six bowl appearance: “We just talk about each week and going 1-0 that week and don’t worry about what we can’t control. Whether that’s rankings or any of that stuff. Just focus on getting better and playing well each week.”
On if he is surprised with being a top-10 program his second season: “I think I’ve thought about that a few times. Especially last year being COVID and strange year. Then the second year being in the top-10, but the only one that matters is where you finish and not where you are during the season. Even I, and I think I have real high expectations, probably couldn’t have guaranteed you that.”
On where he thinks the value of defense in the SEC is and if high-flying offenses are still a thing of the future: “I think everything’s different and there’s different ways to win. There’s not one way to win. We’ve seen defensive teams win. We’ve seen slower teams teams win, faster teams win. There’s not one blueprint and then you’ve got to fit your blueprint to your personnel and not anybody else.
On if the head coach or if a skilled coordinator effects those teams: “Well, you want to play good on all sides. There’s teams that play conservative playing with an offensive head coach. I think it’s safe to say (Texas A&M) played conservative as well and play to their defense. The game before us, they won without scoring an offensive touchdown. There’s all kinds of different ways.
