Ten Takeaways: Week 14

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1. The Lane Kiffin saga is over...but it's also just beginning

After a weekend full of reports, rumors, and outside speculation about Lane Kiffin's coaching future, the man himself gave everyone the official word on Sunday afternoon:

It's only fitting that his first on-camera remarks about it took place at an airport:

There are so many different angles to this story that it almost makes it impossible to figure out where to start. What does this mean for Ole Miss' playoff run? How many Rebel coaches and players will follow Kiffin to Baton Rouge? The only thing we know for sure at the time I'm writing this (Sunday night) is that Kiffin's bringing a handful of coaches and staffers with him, while defensive coordinator Pete Golding is staying on as Ole Miss' permanent head coach. We'll have to wait and see how the rest of it plays out over the next few weeks.

It makes all the sense in the world why LSU was so desperate for Kiffin, and why Kiffin would take the job. He inked a deal worth a reported $91 million, will have a massive war chest for NIL, roster, assistants, etc. at his disposal, and autonomy at one of the country's best jobs. He can win big at LSU, and that should be the expectation.

Florida Atlantic and Ole Miss were great spots for Kiffin to set the tone for what success looked like, then build on it. He couldn't do that at USC, especially following in the footsteps of Pete Carroll. He wilted under that intense spotlight, and now we get to see how he handles it in the SEC at a place like LSU - who've not only gassed two national title-winning coaches the past decade, but also just got out of their own messy coaching breakup. LSU jumped through too many hoops and spent/will spend more than enough money that anything less than winning a national championship during Kiffin's tenure will be a failure.

Kiffin says he's changed since his time at USC. He better have, because next season is a gauntlet for LSU that features games against Clemson, Auburn (road), Alabama, Texas, Texas A&M, and what's sure to be two of the most drama-filled matchups of 2026:

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In Kiffin's defense, how this all played out is less an indictment on him than it is on the current playoff system/recruiting and portal calendars that all idiotically collide at the same time. Kiffin's greasy because that's just who he is - not because he wanted to still lead Ole Miss through the playoff while also being the active head coach for a conference rival. That said, this whole thing didn't have to play out so publicly. The main reason it did is because Kiffin craves any sort of attention he can get - positive or negative. What other guy (not named Kirk Herbstreit) would have a Twitter account for his dog posting stuff like this the day before he splits:

I feel for Ole Miss fans to a certain degree. What's probably the best season in modern program history will always be tinged by the chaos Kiffin caused. Maybe they go on some magical playoff run without him that changes that, but it seems unlikely. It also has the potential to get even uglier if players opt-out and follow him to LSU. At the same time, how bad can you really feel for Ole Miss when they brought in someone whose public reputation for the past 15 years is as polarizing as Kiffin's? If you bring a snake home, there's always a chance it might bite you. It took six years, but the snake finally bit Ole Miss. We'll find out soon enough if he bites LSU next.

2. Ryan Day and Ohio State eradicate their maize and blue demons

The past four seasons, Ryan Day spent the last Saturday of each November trying to prove that his team could beat Michigan at their own game. Instead of relying on his all-world skill talent, Ohio State's approach was to meet Michigan's bully ball head-on. The results were predictable, and last year's loss proved to be the breaking point that shifted Day's mindset.

The Buckeyes put that change to action by achieving a perfect balance of each in a 27-9 win in Ann Arbor. They pounded the Wolverines for 186 yards rushing, while only giving up 100 defensively - the kind of dominance up front Day had been craving in previous matchups. What put them over the top, though, was trusting Julian Sayin to let it fly to his superstar receivers, even in some nasty conditions:

It was the type of sound and convincing win that has strong potential to flip the rivalry back in Ohio State's favor, much like Michigan did in 2021. If you want my full thoughts on The Game, check out the recap I wrote in Bulletpoints:

Bulletpoints: Michigan

Thoughts on the Buckeyes’ 27-9 win at Michigan.

Two Stripes with Colton DenningColton Denning

3. Should Texas make in the playoff?

Before I answer that, I want to share my main issue with any "Who's in? Who's out?" discussion when it comes to the playoff. In previous postseason systems (BCS, four-team playoff) the main teams getting left out of competing for the national title almost always had legitimate credentials fueling their candidacy. 2003 USC was a one-loss powerhouse who finished first in the AP Poll anyway, despite not playing in the BCS title game. Auburn went undefeated the next year, but took a back seat to also-undefeated USC and Oklahoma. In the four-team system, I don't think I have to remind you about what happened to undefeated Florida State in 2023.

Ditching the BCS for the four-team playoff meant that the 2003 USCs and 2004 Auburns would get their chance to settle it on the field. Expanding to 12 eliminated the possibility of an undefeated major-conference program getting shunned because of a crucial injury. As someone who hates the expanded playoff, even I can admit that's a good thing. The problem now is that what used to be dying on the hill for teams like 2003 USC has turned into dying on the hill for two/three-loss teams who shouldn't even be in the national title discussion - mostly because they've already lost to the teams ahead of them!

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To answer my own question: I think Texas should make the playoff. They have three top-ten wins (Oklahoma, Vanderbilt, Texas A&M), and at least had the stones to schedule a non-conference opponent like Ohio State. It's a loss, but not one they should be skewered for. Texas has a legitimate case, and I have no problem if they ultimately get in. I also don't think they've earned the right to be a martyr if they get left out, either.

They have three losses, one of which ranks among the worst of all playoff hopefuls (Florida). Their other six wins include two fortunate escapes at Kentucky and Mississippi State, beatdowns against woeful Sam Houston and San Jose State squads, an ugly showing against two-win UTEP, and a (mostly) strong game against Arkansas. Not putting them in a tournament to win it all wouldn't be an injustice to the sport, just like it wouldn't be an injustice leaving out the two-loss Vanderbilt team Texas already beat:

If you think I hate the playoff system now, just wait until this thing inevitably expands to 16. Get ready to learn four-loss Big Ten/SEC coaches making a stink about how much their teams "deserve," buddy!

4. Player of the week: Cal QB Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele