re: Did Lane Kiffin blow the game for Bama?

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I understand your point but I think it has the benefit of hindsight.

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For sure.

But there's a reason why some coaches are more conservative in those situations.

I think we can all agree Kiffin isn't one of those coaches.

And the special teams mistakes greatly reduced whatever margin for error Bama had. It's not like Kiffin knew that another special teams mistake was right around the bend. He only had control of the plays he called, coaching the players prior to the game and knowing how best to utilize their skillsets.

I understand there was obvious miscommunication between Bateman and the receiver on the first INT but that only underscores my point that it was a risky call. shite is more likely to happen when you launch a deep ball.

why don't bama fans ever complain about smart. he gave up tons of points to om, ohio state and auburn a couple years ago in losses where the offense scored over 30 points. the D is broken in big games!

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For sure.

But there's a reason why some coaches are more conservative in those situations.

I think we can all agree Kiffin isn't one of those coaches.

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No, he isn't one of those coaches but no less than Saban himself said he was hired to open up the offense and he's most certainly done it. But as you said, when you take more risks you're going to get bit more often.

For the record, I wasn't a fan of the hire one little bit. I'm still not a fan of Kiffin as a person but it's simply intellectually dishonest for people (Bama fans in particular) to point the finger at him when the offense is churning out the numbers is is now.

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Two plays really stood out to me - and both of them surely were decisions by Kiffin.

1) Game tied 3-3 about 10 minutes left in the 2nd quarter. Ole Miss had just gone 3 and out. On 2nd and 8, Kiffin has Bateman throw the deep ball. It's picked off and returned to the Bama 26. 6 plays later, Ole Miss scores their first TD and scores another TD after Bama fumbles the ensuing kickoff. Prior to that interception, Bama and Ole Miss were battling it out pretty good. That INT completely changed the game.

2) Down 43-37 with 2:54 on the clock, Bama has the ball 1st and 10 at their own 33. On the play before, Coker reeled off a 20+ yard run. Then Kiffin has Coker throw a deep ball and Ole Miss intercepts on their own 32. There was more than enough time on the clock to mount a drive (Bama had scored 2 TDs on the previous 2 possessions). Instead, Kiffin went deep and it backfired again.

I didn't think Coker played badly at all. If anything, he kept several drives going with his surprising mobility. Instead, I question some of the play calls. It's like Kiffin thinks he's back in the Pac 10.

For sure, Bama made plenty of other mistakes. The special teams mistakes were huge. Ole Miss certainly played very well. Swag, Nkemdiche and Treadwell are all phenomenal.

But after watching the game again today, I think I get why Finebaum is convinced that Kiffin won't be back next year.

How many Bama fans think Kiffin will be back next year?

Not trolling, honestly curious. It was a helluva game to watch. Very entertaining.

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He looked like he blew something that day but I am not so sure it was the game...

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Nope. Unless you blame him for the 5 turnovers. Kiffin is a detestable human being but is a good football coach, nonetheless.

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I totally agree. You can't blame a coach when players(experienced players) can not even take care of the football on the kickoff returns.
He may call the play, but the quarterback is also responsible to see if the field changes and if suddenly there is a member of the other team where you were going to throw the ball then don't do it.
In my opinion coaches can only do so much and the players have to be held responsible for mistakes that they make. They don't have to do this in public, but later in review, the player has to see that the mistake was his.

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this might be a first for the rant thank you!

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Nah. It happens more than you'd think.