Lane Kiffin and Ole Miss had their College Football Playoff hopes in their grasp, but those aspirations slipped away on Saturday night in Gainesville, Florida.
The Rebels had been viewed as playoff contenders since the end of last season, with those expectations only growing as the new season approached. Kiffin and his staff made excellent use of the transfer portal, securing the top class to strengthen an already talented team. With a favorable schedule, the SEC eliminating divisions, and the expanded 12-team playoff, Ole Miss seemed to be in the perfect position. What could go wrong?
Three losses, that’s what. The third came in Week 13, as Ole Miss was upset 24-17 by Florida in “The Swamp.” They had already faced setbacks earlier in the season, including a surprising home loss to Kentucky and an overtime defeat to LSU. But they had bounced back with a dominant win over Georgia. Unfortunately, the Florida game was the final blow.
Now, the Rebels’ season appears to be heading toward a bowl game, with their SEC Championship and playoff dreams dashed. It’s a disappointing end for a team that appeared on the brink of greatness, raising the inevitable question: who is responsible for this letdown?
Jaxson Dart throws two costly interceptions
Jaxson Dart, the SEC’s leader in passing yards, was once seen as a strong Heisman Trophy candidate early in the season. However, as Ole Miss moved from their easier non-conference schedule into the tougher SEC competition, Dart’s performances became inconsistent. He showed flashes of brilliance but struggled to maintain that level of play. Against Florida, his performance was a mix of strong moments and costly mistakes, culminating in a disappointing finish.
Dart completed 24 of 41 passes for 323 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 71 yards. Despite the solid stats, his two critical interceptions on Ole Miss’ final two drives sealed the Rebels’ defeat.
The first interception came with 1:32 remaining and Ole Miss trailing 24-17. The defense managed to force a Florida punt, giving Dart and the offense one last chance with 56 seconds left. Starting from their own 34-yard line, the Rebels strung together five plays before Dart threw his second interception, which was effectively his third, as an earlier pick had been wiped out by a penalty. This final turnover ended Ole Miss’ chances and secured Florida’s victory.
It was a crushing end for Dart, who was visibly shaken on the sideline after the interception. After the game, he expressed his regret, saying, “All I can really say right now is, sorry. Sorry to my teammates, sorry to my coaches, sorry for the fans. Can’t lose these games.”
Lane Kiffin, going for it on fourth-and-short twice, not taking points
This game was marked by missed opportunities for Ole Miss, ultimately ending their College Football Playoff hopes. While Jaxson Dart’s turnovers played a major role in the loss, head coach Lane Kiffin’s questionable decisions on key fourth downs also contributed significantly to the Rebels’ downfall.
The first pivotal decision came on Ole Miss’ second drive in the first quarter. After driving 69 yards in nine plays to reach the Florida 11-yard line, the Rebels faced a fourth-and-1 situation. Instead of opting for a short field goal, Kiffin chose to go for it. A run by JJ Pegues fell short of the first down, giving the ball to Florida, who capitalized with an 11-play drive to take a 7-0 lead.
The second crucial decision came early in the third quarter with Florida ahead 17-14. After a 13-play, 65-yard drive brought the Rebels to the Florida 10-yard line, they faced another fourth-and-1. Instead of taking a manageable field goal to tie the game, Kiffin once again opted for aggression, calling for another run with Pegues, which was stuffed for no gain.
“Obviously a lot was at stake, and we didn’t come through,” Kiffin said, according to ESPN. “A lot of missed opportunities.”
Both of these decisions proved costly, as Ole Miss walked away empty-handed from two promising drives, ultimately contributing to their defeat.
Micah Davis’ fumble in the second half
With the score tied at 14-all to start the second half, Florida received the kickoff but quickly went three-and-out. However, on the ensuing punt return, Ole Miss’ Micah Davis fumbled the ball, and it was recovered by Florida’s DJ Douglas at the Rebels’ 37-yard line. Four plays later, the Gators converted the turnover into a field goal, taking a 17-14 lead—a lead they would hold onto for the rest of the game.
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