Everything Lane Kiffin said on this week's SEC Teleconference ahead of Ole Miss playing LSU

No. 13 Ole Miss hosts No. 4 LSU on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. CT with first place in the Southeastern Conference at stake, along with potential College Football Playoff implications. Lane Kiffin made his weekly appearance on the SEC Coaches Teleconference on Wednesday to discuss the game with the Tigers and other topics.

Below is everything the sixth-year Rebels head coach said.

OPENING STATEMENT

Lane Kiffin: “Really excited for this challenge. To play at home and for first place in the SEC and to play a top three team in the country in LSU is an awesome opportunity for us. So, got to continue to have a great week of preparation. These guys probably have the best roster, since we’ve been here, from top to bottom and we’re going to have to prepare and play really well.”

REACTION AND ANY SURPRISES TO THE SEC SCHEDULE ANNOUNCEMENT

Kiffin: “Oklahoma one is disappointing. We don’t really have anything in common with them for the fans. So that doesn’t really make any sense, at all. That’s unfortunate with so many great teams we’ve played here for a long time, especially from our SEC West years. That’s unfortunate.

Obviously the Egg Bowl is staying so (the SEC) only had two choices. The LSU one makes sense, and that’s great, the other makes no sense.”

THOUGHTS ON THE GROVE AND THE GAME DAY EXPERIENCE

Kiffin: “Well it’s awesome. Of course I don’t experience it, but people come from all over the country that have never been here and just blown away by the people and how much they enjoy the day and how friendly everybody is and welcoming to them.”

ON HOW HE HANDLES THE AVAILABILITY REPORT AND LEAVING SIMMONS OFF THEN PLAYING

Kiffin: “I think you phrased it what led us to leaving him off (the report) and playing him when he was available. That’s why we left him off, because he was available. It is a availability report. It’s not a specific injury report. If a player’s available, he’s available and he was and played in the game.

“I’m going with what I was told by the league and how to operate on it. It’s an availability report and if a player is going to be available to play then they shouldn’t be on there. I’m following direct orders from the league.”

WHAT HE SAW FROM SAGE RYAN IN THE PORTAL AND HOW HE’S HANDLING THIS WEEK

Kiffin: “Sage is a really savvy player that plays a lot and plays in different spots. We’re pleased to have him and he’s great to be around and really good team guy and I’m really glad he’s part of our team.

I think it happens a lot with these players. I think every week we’re playing somebody. Just had some number (of former players) with Arkansas where kids were just on the roster the week before. So, I think it’s becoming more the norm.”

HOW EFFICIENTLY IS OLE MISS OFFENSE PLAYING HEADING INTO GAME WITH LSU’S DEFENSE

Kiffin: “They’ve done a great job and Brian Kelly spoke about how they spent a lot of money in the portal this time around and it’s paid off, like for most people. I think the numbers were Miami, Texas Tech and LSU spent the most money in the portal and look how they’re playing. Usually pays off well and they’ve done well.

“It’s an unusual Louisiana defense. You have one starter from Louisiana. Just shows where three of their starters on D-line and three of the four in the secondary are portal guys. Just different than the old ways of building. Lot of credit to them for embracing the portal. Now they’re by far the most-talented defense since we’ve been here playing them. Not even close.”

THOUGHTS ON LSU LB WHIT WEEKS AND HIS DAUGHTER’S RELATIONSHIP

Kiffin: “Whit’s an awesome kid. He comes from a great family and glad that those two are happy together. Has nothing to do with the game itself. It’s a really great family and I think a lot of people got to see that with the SEC (Netflix) special where they were hunting with the family.”

ON WHEN HE MIGHT DECIDE WHO WILL START THE GAME AT QUARTERBACK

Kiffin: That can go, at least, longer than today. Both guys did great today. Really letting them compete it out. …I always take everything into consideration. So we’ll see as we get closer.

Editor note: Sources told Rebel Grove and On3’s Chris Low that Trinidad Chambliss would get the start against LSU prior to Kiffin being asked the question on Wednesday.