Throughout my childhood and college years, my friends and I used to joke that before we did anything, the local gossipers were already talking about it.
That was the gossip mill that was Nick Saban Alabama, but however weapons-grade gossip it was, it pales in comparison to the gossip-loving nature of the SEC coaching staff, those in charge and their assistants.
Ask any media person who covers the SEC (or college football in general) and they’ll tell you that no one loves to gossip about other programs more than these coaches. If this energy could be converted into usable energy, Chevron, Shell, and the other oil giants would turn to this as soon as they could.
Last week, Athlon Sports published its annual anonymous commentary from SEC coaches about SEC programs other than their own, and as always, along with some interesting tidbits, some of which indicate that coaches and fans are in agreement on where some teams stand for the 2024 season.
So let’s take a look at what the coaching staff said about each SEC opponent on Ole Miss’ and the Rebels’ schedule, and maybe what they say will change my mind about Ole Miss’ chances of winning against each team.
Ole Miss
As expected, the coaching staff speaks highly of the Ole Miss offense and is well aware of what Lane Kiffin and company have done to bolster their front seven in the portal.
“Defensively, they’ve gotten better every year. [Pete] “Goulding comes in. The real change that the NIL and the portal have made for them is the talent in the front seven.”
If Ole Miss’ front seven (or six!) is really good and can control the opposing run game and pressure without blitzing, it will make life a lot easier for everyone in Oxford in the fall.
Other quotes are about Kiffin’s ability to manage the roster in the portal and keep it working, as if 2023 never happened!
In fairness, the 2022 season spun out of control with a loss to Alabama and a missed opportunity to go to Atlanta, and while the team, Kiffin and staff didn’t handle that loss well, the 2023 team showed they are a different group.
For those of you who don’t know, the leaders of the 2024 team are not just the best players returning from 2023, but players who have been part of the program for years, and they have spoken repeatedly about the culture and standards that have been established.
It’s certainly possible that things could get worse in 2025, but unless there are injuries everywhere in 2024, this isn’t a 2024 portal experiment.
Kentucky
I mean, just look at these rumors:
“…Many of us believe that he [Mark Stoops] He’ll probably retire from Kentucky in a few years, and he’ll retire at a good age, just like his brother. [Bob] did.”
Other comments were about believing their defensive line is one of the best in the league and about the offense having to change again because of a transferred quarterback.
Mark Stoops will make $8.6 million next year, go 8-4 and prove once again that he has unparalleled job security, and whoever convinced him not to take the Texas A&M job deserves half his salary.
Do these quotes affect Ole Miss’ chances of beating them: LOL, no. It just makes them stronger.
South Carolina
This is the most tragic thing:
“[Quarterback LaNorris] Sellers will be the starter, but the Auburn quarterback is [Robby Ashford] We’re going to be able to really push him.”
Do these comments affect Ole Miss’ chances of winning: No, unless the ghosts of that 2009 Thursday night in Columbia return.
LSU
Opposing SEC coaches have spoken highly of their staffs and rosters despite being outplayed offensively by the NFL, most notably with the belief that LSU’s weak defense can be recast into a group that can be a “brutal” opponent by the end of the season.
Believe it or not, Ole Miss will catch LSU in Game 7 of the season (Oct. 12) in Baton Rouge, but the game manager situation is important for a team that needs a good offense to overcome a defense that is building.
“Quarterback [Garrett Nussmeier] He’s not as talented as Daniels, but he manages the talent around him well.”
It’s LSU and I know they always have good players, but they haven’t lost anybody on offense with the talent they lost and they’ve kept their offense at a level that can offset their defensive issues.
Do these statements affect Ole Miss’ chances of winning: Ole Miss +2.5 is a financial investment.
Oklahoma
As we will soon see, this sentence about their defense makes no sense.
“They’re starting to put together the kind of defense that Brent expected them to have. [Venables] “I’m coaching at Clemson. That’s the good news going into the SEC. The bad news is that if we don’t get some guys in the later part of the portal, our offensive line could be bad.”
Oklahoma played Texas on October 7 and won 34–30, and if you count that game and their final seven games (including the bowl game against Arizona), they have given up 31.4 points per game.
The games and points allowed are as follows:
- UCF – 29 (6-7)
- Kansas – 38 (9-4)
- Oklahoma State – 27 (10-4)
- West Virginia – 20 (9-4)
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BYU – 24 (5-7)
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TCU – 45 (5-7)
- Arizona – 38 (10-3)
I mean, their offensive line may be bad, their defense has allowed 83 points over the final two games of the season, and they’re in the process of bringing in a new offensive coordinator.
Do these statements affect Ole Miss’ chances of beating them: Ole Miss -6 is a financial investment.
Arkansas
There are no citations to review, but Ole Miss could go to Fayetteville and lose by four touchdowns to this weak team. [gestures at Ole Miss’ history in Fayetteville]The only unknown is whether Bobby Petrino will take over as interim head coach by Nov. 2.
Do these comments affect Ole Miss’ chances of winning: No, but I’d like to point out that the last time an Ole Miss coach won in Fayetteville was Houston Dale Nutt. Giggity.
Georgia
Similar to Arkansas but in the opposite direction so no need to check the citations. Elite of the elite.
I recall Lane Kiffin saying in the spring that the top 30 or so players at Ole Miss could compete with most other programs, but the next 20 or so players wouldn’t.
Georgia State is one of two programs (the other being Ohio State) that doesn’t have a player like that, even among the players in maybe the top 30. Sure, Georgia State could play Georgia State in Oxford and get some game-ups, but it’s not going to happen without a little help from luck, which is Ole Miss’ specialty.
Do these statements affect Ole Miss’ chances of winning: No. Ole Miss is probably 10-2 and this is one of those losses.
Florida
If Billy Napier is released after the 2024 season, he will take home $25.67 million (on top of what he’s already been paid). I mention this because one SEC coach believes the return of the starting quarterback is key for Napier to be hired by Florida in 2025.
“[QB Graham] Mertz’s return might save Billy’s job.”
If I were Billy Napier, and I believe Graham Mertz is great, I would take a leaf out of the Urban Meyer manual and write him off: either continue in one of the most stressful jobs with no clear path out of mediocrity, or take a leisurely stroll back into coaching with $25.67 million in hand.
Do these statements affect Ole Miss’ chances of winning: I don’t like this ranking, but Florida is trash.
Mississippi
I think Jeff Levy is a great offensive coach, but this will be the first time he’s been in charge of anything, and he’ll have to do it at a program with the lowest resources in the league.
The team will be forced to make a major overhaul on offense, but it’s fair to expect the offense to be stronger as the season progresses, especially compared to last year. Other than that, there are a lot of unknowns as overall talent is an issue.
As one of the quotes reveals:
“The biggest question in Starkville is how seriously they’re going to take NIL. Their expectations are, Ole MissHowever, recruitment is not yet closed at this time.
Spoiler alert: it’s not that serious.
Look at the energy of Bankrupt Boy at $25 per ticket:
The vibe is, please give us money so we can cover the salary of Ole Miss analyst Zach Arnette.
Do these comments affect Ole Miss’ chances of winning: Beating Jeff Levy will be Lane Kiffin’s oxygen.
