'Don't Know What to Expect!' Ole Miss Coach Lane Kiffin Highlights Changes on Talented Penn State Defense

Ole Miss Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin is learning with the rest of us in regards to coaching changes and opt-outs with the Penn State Nittany Lions in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.

"Well, maybe James (Franklin) will answer that question for us."

Ole Miss Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin opened an answer to a question with a joke on Friday. That part isn't abnormal, but it does illustrate some of the changes that coaches have to grapple with during bowl season.

The Penn State Nittany Lions have had multiple opt-outs on the defensive side of the football, and they also lost defensive coordinator Manny Diaz prior to the upcoming Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl as he took the head coaching job at Duke.

Kiffin was asked on Friday how he anticipates Penn State battling Ole Miss' offensive tempo, a hallmark of teams led by the fourth-year Ole Miss head coach. It was after his joke regarding Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin that he revealed his true thoughts on the situation.

Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin (left) at practice with running back Ulysses Bentley IV / Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl

"I don't know," Kiffin said. "I think it's very complicated with new coaches, with Manny (Diaz) moving on. So I think everybody that the first assumption is, oh, that's great for the opponent because the coordinator is not there, but it's also complicated because play callers have tendencies. So we don't know really what to expect.

"We know it's a major challenge of phenomenal players and a really good scheme. I don't think the coach matters as a play caller. Under Coach Franklin, the defense plays really hard regardless of who the coordinator is. They have a special thing over there with the way that they play and the style that they play. So this is a huge challenge."

The Peach Bowl will mark one of the more intriguing matchups of bowl season due to contrasting styles. Penn State, while led by talented offensive playmakers, does not operate with the same haste as the Rebels. In contrast, it is led by a defense full of future NFL aspirations.

Franklin will have his hands full as well when facing Ole Miss' offense. Jaxson Dart has clearly taken a step forward in his progression at quarterback this season, and he is surrounded by strong skill players that have proved vital in the Rebels' run to 10 wins.

'History Books Forever!' Rebels Realize Impact of Potential 11-Win Season

"Obviously, they've been able to run a ton of plays, and that's a combination of tempo," Franklin said, "but just as much tempo as it is offensive success. They've been successful. So they've been able to put drives together and get on the field and get off the field. 

"I think the quarterback has done a really good job of being able to make plays with his feet, being able to make plays with his mind, and being able to make plays with his arm and distribute the ball to multiple playmakers that Lane and their offensive coordinator have done a really good job of putting in really good positions to make plays."

The clock is ticking, and soon, we will know our answer as to who will hold the upper hand in this matchup. Ole Miss and Penn State are scheduled to kick off at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta at 11 a.m. CT on Saturday, and the game will be televised on ESPN.