Kirk Herbstreit Believes Ole Miss 'Must' Let Lane Kiffin Coach CFP Even If He Departs

Herbstreit weighed in on the "Kiffin Sweepstakes" on Saturday, believes he should be able to coach CFP even if LSU deal is coming.

Nov 15, 2025; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin runs out of the tunnel prior to the game against the Florida Gators at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images | Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin is set to make a decision on Saturday with the Rebels and LSU Tigers emerging as the pair of finalists down the stretch.

In what became a battle between Ole Miss, LSU, and Florida, the Gators were ultimately eliminated from contention on Friday with the administration shifting focus elsewhere.

No. 7 Ole Miss (11-1, 7-1 SEC) captured a win over Mississippi State on Friday to further cement the program's College Football Playoff chances, but it hasn't stopped Kiffin from flirting with the idea of departing Oxford.

Now, the question that continues stealing headlines amid a decision: If Kiffin departed Ole Miss for LSU, should he be able to coach in the College Football Playoff?

ESPN College GameDay's Kirk Herbstreit and Nick Saban weighed in on the postseason opportunities.

Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin answers questions from the press after a college football game between Mississippi State and Ole Miss at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville, Miss., on Friday, Nov. 28, 2025. Ole Miss defeated Mississippi State 38-19 in the Egg Bowl. | Ayrton Breckenridge/Clarion Ledger / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Kirk Herbstreit's Take: Let Lane Coach CFP

“The tricky part is the year Ole Miss is having,” Herbstreit said. “Forget Atlanta and the SEC Championship. This team is a team you don’t want to play in the CFP right now.

"So, I think if you’re in charge at Ole Miss and if Lane decides to go elsewhere, you need to set your emotions to the side. You need to look at 2025 and this team with their coach, and give them a chance to finish this run.”

Nick Saban Chimes in: What About the SEC Championship?

“It matters to me, because I always thought winning the SEC was a significant accomplishment,” Saban said. “But when you add this playoff deal to it, and like, I’d like to ask Kirby (Smart) today, are you happy that you’re in the SEC championship?

"Because he doesn’t need to be in it, right? Alabama needs to win their way through it, probably to be able to get in the playoffs. So that’s a different scenario. But what do you do at Ole Miss when they have never been in the SEC championship game ever?

"And if Alabama loses, they get in the SEC championship game and they’re not going to allow Lane (Kiffin) to coach? That’s crazy.”

More Ole Miss News:

National Analyst Believes Miami Dolphins Should Hire Ole Miss Football's Lane Kiffin

Ole Miss Football Great Doubles Down on Lane Kiffin to Florida Gators 'Not Happening'

Tony Vitello Pokes Fun at Ole Miss Football's Lane Kiffin in Goodbye to Tennessee

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