The Egg Bowl passed on the middle-of-the-night hotel hijinks for some locker-room shenanigans.
Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin — ahead of what could be his final game with the program — alleged ahead of Friday’s rivalry game against Mississippi State that some Bulldogs fans broke into the Rebels’ locker room at 3 a.m. and stole quarterback Trinidad Chambliss’ jersey.
He told ESPN’s Marty Smith that head equipment manager Ken Crain caught the robbery on video since he set up cameras.
The early-morning actions provide a distraction to an Egg Bowl that is otherwise going to be focused squarely on Kiffin since Ole Miss entered as a 7.5-point road favorite at BetMGM.
It should be noted, though, that the betting line may not be factoring in whether the quarterback needing a new jersey will have an effect on the team.
The larger storyline that may influence the Rebels’ motivation Saturday is Kiffin’s status and whether it’s been leaked if he will be returning to Oxford next season or heading to LSU or Florida.
Kiffin is a hot commodity due to his success with Ole Miss, which includes a 10-1 start this season that should place the Rebels in the College Football Playoff for the first time.
However, Ole Miss does not have as much history as LSU and Florida.
LSU reportedly is considering a $90 million offer for Kiffin in hopes of having him replace the fired Brian Kelly, although a report stated Ole Miss is prepared to match.
Both LSU and Florida gave Kiffin’s ex-wife and other family members a tour of Baton Rouge and Gainesville, respectively.
Kiffin shot down a report that Ole Miss had given him an ultimatum, and an update on his future is expected after Friday’s noon game.
“Coach Kiffin and I have had may pointed and positive conversations regarding his future at Ole Miss, including meeting today with Chancellor Boyce,” Ole Miss vice chancellor for intercollegiate athletics Keith Carter said in a Nov. 21 statement. “While we discuss next steps, we know we cannot lose sight of what is move important — our sixth-ranked team that is pointed to finish the regular season in historic fashion.
“Despite the outside noise, Coach Kiffin is focused on preparing our team for the Egg Bowl, and together, we want to ensure that our player and coaches can concentrate fully on next’s Friday’s game. This team is on the cusp of an unprecedented season, and it’s imperative they feel the support of the Ole Miss family in the week ahead. An announcement on Coach Kiffin’s future is expected the Saturday following the game.”
