Kentucky fans have created big-game atmospheres at Kroger Field but Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin says it has not been that way for his Rebels this year. (Vicky Graff Photo)
Going on the road in the Southeastern Conference normally is no easy task for any team because of the passion — and noise — of the home fans.
Mississippi is a top 15 team and unbeaten this year. Yet coach Lane Kiffin made it clear after last week’s win over Tulsa that he was not happy with the crowd and he didn’t back down from that feeling during Monday’s press conference.
Kentucky is Mississippi’s homecoming opponent so the crowd should be bigger but the 11 a.m. local kickoff time might hurt that. Kiffin is telling his players not to let the lackluster crowds impact them.
“Regardless of what you come out to before the game or at halftime, when you come back out and you run out the tunnel and it looks like a high school game being played in a college stadium, you can’t let that affect you,” Kiffin said.
High school game? Ole Miss fans have to love that comparison.
“There’s a psychology to that. Obviously, there’s a home-field advantage for a reason. And when it goes the other way, you kind of have that feeling are we still really playing in a game here? The players have to fight that,” Kiffin said.
However, one of the more amazing statistics going into Saturday’s game is that both Kentucky and Ole Miss are 15-3 in the last 18 games. Let that sink in. Alabama and Georgia have been better — but not by much obviously.
“I would have taken that,” Kiffin said, referring back to when Ole Miss beat UK 42-41 in 2020. “I normally say, ‘Hey, we have high expectations and always want to do better’ but that’s a pretty good number.”
“And I guess Mark (Stoops) might say the same thing. Especially playing in the SEC.”
