Mississippi Coach Lane Kiffin takes pride in delivering a level of candor normally feared by college football coaches and their employers. Kiffin seemed to be displaying that trademark verve this week when he claimed he and his rivals want to avoid playing in the SEC championship game in Atlanta next month because a loss there could knock a program from College Football Playoff contention.

Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin, whose team should be in the Top 12 again this week, said he and other coaches don't see the SEC Championship as lucrative as it has been in the past. “I’ve talked to other coaches,

Ole Miss' Lane Kiffin said SEC coaches may be reluctant to make the conference championship game due to new 12-team CFP format.

Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin shared his concerns with the SEC Championship after what happened in the 2023 season.

Lane Kiffin revealed some coaches don't want to play in SEC Championship due to College Football Playoff: “I’ve talked to other coaches... The reward to get a bye [in the CFP] versus the risk to get knocked out completely... that’s a really big risk.” https://t.co/BJFxiGNDgq pic.twitter.com/MAYRUM6gna

Texas and Texas A&M are the only SEC teams with just 1 conference loss. Since the Longhorns and Aggies play in the regular season, the SEC Championship Game is guaranteed to include a team with at least 2 total losses. (Texas has only lost to Georgia. Texas A&M has 2 total losses to Notre Dame and South Carolina.)