In Praising Texas A&M Aggies' Roster, Lane Kiffin Takes Jab At Jimbo Fisher
COLLEGE STATION -- Of course he took a jab at Jimbo Fisher.
Would it be Texas A&M vs. Ole Miss week without one?
During Ole Miss' media session on Monday, Lane Kiffin took time to praise the abundance of talent that will travel to Oxford this Saturday for an 11 a.m. kickoff. It seemed genuine from the Rebels' coach, especially compliments on the defensive front seven.
"It kind of a mind-blowing collection of talent as you watch them offensively, defensively, return game, special teams," Kiffin said Monday. "It really is like an NFL roster in height, weight, speed, explosiveness. [They have] receivers who can score at any time.
"The collection of defensive linemen has to be one of the best ever. Their linebacker [Edgerrin Cooper] is playing like the SEC Player of the Year."
Of course, things aren't always as they appear with Kiffin, especially when dealing with Fisher.
"I think Jimbo said their goal is to be bowl eligible, so if we can get in the way of that, that would be good for us too," said Kiffin.
That was just one of several burns hurled Fisher's way Monday, and it won't be the last if the Aggies can't secure a victory at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
The No. 11 Rebels (7-1, 4-1 SEC) are riding high on a four-game win streak following their Week 4 loss to Alabama. The defense has turned a corner under first-year coordinator Pete Golding, forcing seven turnovers since Week 5.
And the offense is dangerous; even with a surging A&M front seven that leads the SEC in sacks and tackles for loss, the Rebels can corral potent defensive fronts into making mistakes.
"Everybody talks about them offensively, which their running backs are outstanding. Their quarterback [Jaxson Dart] is athletic and can make plays," said Fisher. "Their receivers, the transfer portal has done really with these guys, No. 9 [Tre Harris], No. 19 [Dayton Wade] and No. 11 [Jordan Watkins] have all done really well."
The Aggies (5-3, 3-2) are close to being what Kiffin envisioned for this matchup back in July. Losses to Alabama and Tennessee derailed chatter of the College Football Playoff and likely an SEC title berth, but A&M's played close.
How close? A combined 13 points have hindered early season expectations at Kyle Field. Scoring in the second half would have likely sealed at least one win, but there remains one of the biggest concerns.
The Aggies haven't scored a touchdown in the second half in four games.
“We were trying to run the ball a lot of the second half (against South Carolina) just to take away some of the clock,” quarterback Max Johnson said. “But (we also) know we’ve got to score more touchdowns in the second half, and we’ve been harping on that these past few weeks."
Mississippi Rebels running back Quinshon Judkins (4) celebrates with quarterback Jaxson Dart (2) after a touchdown run against the Texas A&M Aggies in the second half at Kyle Field.
Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports
Punching it in for six might seem small in the grand scheme, but it's massive for the Aggies. A&M is currently riding an eight-game road losing streak under Fisher, but the streak could have ended twice since last October.
Kiffin, who's enjoyed poking Fisher's backside since arriving in Oxford, is aware of how dangerous A&M can be if given the chance. The Aggies nearly had two scores in the second half of last week's 30-17 win over South Carolina, but a foot just outside the end zone and the milking of the clock on the final drive negated potentially 14 points.
A&M won't be milking anything against the Rebels. As one of the more underrated rivalries among coaches, Fisher has a chance to secure a win one last time before scheduling dictates the annual showdown between the two SEC West programs.
And Kiffin isn't sleeping on the Aggies, either. Last season, the Rebels were a factor in ruining A&M's chance of becoming bowl-eligible.
The Aggies can return the favor in College Football Playoff eligibility.
"We're going to have to play well on the road," Fisher said. "We're going to need a good week of practice to be able to do that."
