How the College Football Playoff would view Ole Miss without Lane Kiffin

Ole Miss, ranked No. 7, is on the cusp of securing its first-ever College Football Playoff berth if it defeats Mississippi State in the Egg Bowl. The Rebels would finish the regular season at 11-1, positioning them as one of the selection committee’s seven at-large picks. Despite rumors of head coach Lane Kiffin potentially leaving for LSU, the committee, led by chair Hunter Yurachek, has indicated that an 11-win SEC team will not be overlooked. However, Kiffin's departure could affect the team's seeding.

The committee considers the "unavailability of key players and coaches" as a factor in its decisions, which could impact Ole Miss if Kiffin leaves. In 2023, a similar situation saw Florida State excluded from the playoffs after losing quarterback Jordan Travis to injury.

If Ole Miss loses to Mississippi State, they would join a crowded field of 10-win teams vying for at-large spots, including Oklahoma, Notre Dame, Alabama