The Ole Miss Rebels defied expectations in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal, achieving an impressive comeback win against the Georgia Bulldogs. However, they’re now facing a major test against the Miami Hurricanes, a team that has shown stellar defense and physicality in their two wins so far.
Pete Golding is the head coach of Ole Miss in the wake of Lane Kiffin taking the LSU job after four seasons with the Rebels. Despite Kiffin leaving and taking some of his staff with him to LSU, Charlie Weis Jr. was allowed to return to his offensive coordinator position with Ole Miss through the CFP.
The Rebels defeated Georgia 39-34 in the Sugar Bowl behind a standout performance from quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, who made incredible throws for first downs when it appeared several plays might end badly.
On Tuesday, Joel Klatt joined Colin Cowherd on his Fox Sports show to discuss the upcoming CFP game between Ole Miss and Miami. Klatt didn’t hesitate to put the Rebels on notice ahead of their game, addressing the elephant in the room.
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During his remarks, Klatt called attention to Kiffin creating drama and uncertainty with Ole Miss’s coaching staff due to his decision to leave for another head coaching job.
“What I don’t think Lane understands is that he’s not the victim in this scenario. I think that there’s a lot of things going on right now, and what I look at is the player. If I’m Trinidad Chambliss, don’t I expect, desire, my offensive coordinator to be 100 percent invested in what’s going on with the national semifinal? Yes,” he said on “The Colin Cowherd Show.”
Klatt contended that it’s what quarterbacks hope for if they’re at that position with a team, and “the reality is, that’s not the case.”
“The quickest way to be defeated is to be distracted, and you cannot serve two masters, period,” he said, adding, “The situation sucks for the players.”
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He mentioned that his primary concern is for the Ole Miss players, who depend on coaches to prepare them and support them during their college football careers. Klatt said he’s uncertain if that’s occurring right now with the Rebels.
They enter Thursday’s game as 3.5-point underdogs in the Fiesta Bowl. The Miami Hurricanes have allowed 8.5 points a game to their opponents so far in the CFP, providing a challenging task for Golding’s Rebels.
While Chambliss has shown remarkable playmaking in his recent performance, one has to wonder whether he and his teammates will be focused and prepared to take down the Hurricanes and have a shot at the national championship.
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