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Lane Kiffin may no longer be on the sidelines at Ole Miss, but LSU’s new coach still has a vested interest in how his former team performs in the College Football Playoff.
The Ole Miss Rebels proved they would be just fine without Kiffin after Trinidad Chambliss passed for 362 yards and two touchdowns in the team’s 39-34 victory over third-place Georgia in the Sugar Bowl on Thursday night.
New LSU head coach Lane Kiffin speaks at the South Stadium Club at Tiger Stadium on December 1, 2025. (Matthew Hinton/Imagn Images)
“A lot of people doubted us before the season and they still doubted us when our coach left,” Chambliss said after the game. “We just want to play ball and have fun, and I think that’s showing right now.”
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Kiffin, who was rumored to attend the College Football Playoff quarterfinal in New Orleans, celebrated the team’s victory in a post on social media.
“What a great ending!!! So much fun!! Only two left,” he wrote in a post on X, tagging the Ole Miss football team.
Although Kiffin’s wishes could be interpreted as being expressed in good faith, Kiffin will benefit financially if the Rebels continue to win.
LSU head football coach Lane Kiffin waves to the crowd during the first half of an NCAA basketball game against Kentucky. The match took place in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on January 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Peter Forest)
OLE MISS-GEORGIA SUGAR BOWL THRILLER ENDS WITH DELAYED CELEBRATIONS AS OFFICIALS ASK FOR THE LAST SECOND TO BE PLAYED
According to Reception sports, Part of LSU’s deal to lure Kiffin away from Ole Miss was to pay his entire bonus structure from his former employer. Kiffin earned $150,000 for the Rebels to make the playoffs, which was increased to $250,000 when Ole Miss beat Tulane in the first round.
Thursday night’s win over Georgia increased that bonus to $500,000 and a win over Miami in the semifinals will increase that figure to $750,000.
Trinidad Chambliss #6 of the Ole Miss Rebels throws a pass under pressure from Elijah Griffin #90 of the Georgia Bulldogs during the first quarter of the 2025 College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl at Caesars Superdome on January 1, 2026, in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
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And what will Ole Miss win the title for in Kiffin? A grand total of $1 million.
