As Mark Stoops teared up following Kentucky’s surprising 20-17 victory over then-No. 5 Mississippi, it’s likely that many Florida Gators supporters were also feeling intense emotions.

Gators fans who wish for Lane Kiffin to be their next head coach will need Ole Miss to lose a few more games before Thanksgiving. It’s a careful balance: they need Ole Miss to remain appealing enough, yet slide down the rankings far enough to possibly miss the College Football Playoff, prompting Kiffin to reconsider his future with the Rebels and consider a move to Florida.

Kiffin has a high regard for Steve Spurrier, who is still viewed as the benchmark for coaching at Florida, and Kiffin’s strategic mindset and competitive nature make him a similar character.

“It’s all about his personality and demeanor on the sidelines. His teams produced remarkable offenses, with fantastic receivers and quarterbacks,” Kiffin reflected about Spurrier over a decade ago.

This time, the Rebels lacked any of that signature Spurrier flair. Stoops successfully countered Kiffin’s approach, with Kentucky’s defensive line dominating Ole Miss’s offense. Kentucky kept possession through lengthy drives, while the Rebels’ offensive performance was so disappointing it would have caused Spurrier to be furious on the sidelines.

The Wildcats also benefited from several favorable situations, converting all three of their fourth-down attempts. Quarterback Brock Vandagriff completed a 63-yard pass to Barion Brown on a crucial fourth down during Kentucky’s game-winning drive.

Kiffin coached more conservatively than usual, opting for just two fourth-down attempts. Ole Miss chose to punt on fourth-and-2 near midfield in the crucial fourth quarter, while hanging onto a slim lead. Kiffin put his faith in his defense, which initially worked, but ultimately backfired.

The decisive score for Kentucky came after a fumble recovery. When Ole Miss defensive back Trey Washington forced a fumble from quarterback Gavin Wimsatt, it rolled right into the arms of Wildcats tight end Josh Kattus, who calmly walked into the end zone.

<pSubsequently, Caden Davis, usually a reliable kicker for the Rebels, missed a 48-yard field goal that would have tied the game.

“It’s truly frustrating and disappointing,” Kiffin said in reaction to the defeat.

Is this disappointment motivating enough to consider a change if the Rebels miss the playoffs?

A 10-2 record might still leave Ole Miss with playoff uncertainty due to a relatively weaker SEC schedule, despite challenging matchups against LSU, Georgia, and Oklahoma ahead.

While it might be tempting to critique Kiffin following this unexpected defeat, it’s important to remember that Kentucky’s defense has proven to be formidable against SEC foes, as evidenced by their narrow loss to Georgia earlier in the season.

Overall, Kiffin has had a successful run at Ole Miss, amassing 33 wins since the 2021 season began. Though he has struggled in significant games against Alabama and Georgia, he’s not alone in that regard.

If Florida decides to part ways with Billy Napier, it would be difficult to envision them hiring a better candidate than Kiffin.

While Kiffin enjoys an advantageous situation at Ole Miss, he doesn’t face the same level of scrutiny that comes with premier programs, and he earns a substantial paycheck of $9 million. This financial success not only benefits him personally but also enhances Ole Miss’s NIL collective.

The specifics of how NIL collectives operate aren’t always transparent, but it’s widely recognized that Ole Miss has a robust presence in this arena, allowing Kiffin to attract a significant number of transfers each year.

If the Rebels fail to make the playoffs after such substantial investment, it may indicate that Kiffin has reached his full potential in Oxford. However, he would be tasked with revamping Florida’s roster and enhancing its NIL strategy, which currently lags behind its SEC rivals.

Can we truly say Kiffin’s potential would be greater at Florida? That’s a topic for discussion.

Would Kiffin, fueled by thoughts of Spurrier, possibly perceive his potential as higher at Florida?

It’s quite possible.

What about Mark Stoops for Florida?

Next, let’s turn our attention to the coach who secured victory in Oxford.

Stoops has defeated Florida four times during his tenure at Kentucky, including the last three matchups. This win certainly stands out as the hallmark of his 12 years at the helm.

Florida could benefit from Stoops, who would likely jump at the opportunity to move to Gainesville after frequently expressing his dissatisfaction with the level of support at Kentucky.

It certainly made a poorer choice when it brought Napier on board.

Like Kiffin, Stoops earns a significant salary ($9 million) without the immediate pressure of competing for national championships while also lacking real chances to do so.

Would he choose opportunity over safety? Stoops had a brief interest in Texas A&M until the Aggies’ fans dismissed that notion.

However, one concern about Stoops joining Florida is that he would bring a defensive approach to a program whose fans have become accustomed to thrilling, high-scoring games.

has established a high standard for developing quarterbacks. Despite his achievements, Stoops has yet to nurture a top-tier SEC quarterback.

He provides reliable guidance, yet he hasn’t reached the levels that Kiffin achieved with Ole Miss last season. Additionally, he has not led a program that carries the same expectations as Florida.

Both coaches would be a step up from Napier. However, when we avoid getting swept up in the moment, it’s clear that Kiffin could align better with the style that the demanding fans at Florida desire and offer a greater opportunity to reclaim elite status.

Here are my additional thoughts in this “Topp Rope” overview of college football:

Are Georgia’s playoff aspirations at risk?

Following Georgia’s 41-34 defeat to Alabama, Kirby Smart didn’t exhibit any signs of distress. Why would he? At the essence of college football lies the accumulation of talent, and Smart has gathered more than most.

Nonetheless, he should have some concerns, as the Bulldogs’ offense has struggled in seven of the last eight quarters. Quarterback Carson Beck has not performed well in his last two games. Moreover, Georgia’s offensive line and run game were outmatched by two consecutive SEC challengers.

With a few tough games remaining, including matchups against Texas, Tennessee, and Ole Miss—two of those on the road—Georgia’s schedule presents additional hurdles.

The Bulldogs possess enough talent to bounce back but are also flawed enough that they could end up with a 9-3 record.

Smart dismissed his 1-6 record against Alabama, saying it’s no worse than what other coaches have done. While that’s valid, Smart has a stronger roster compared to many of his rivals.

Currently, Alabama isn’t the main concern for him. However, if Georgia continues to play as it has in the last two outings, they may not even need to consider facing Alabama again this season.

Look at the top of the Big 12 standings

Raise your hand if you predicted that Brigham Young, Colorado, and Texas Tech would be the only teams in the Big 12 to start 2-0 in conference play after the first month of the season. Any takers?

Other teams like Iowa State, Arizona, and West Virginia are also unbeaten in conference play but have only played a single conference game each. Meanwhile, the pre-season favorites in the Big 12—Utah, Oklahoma State, and Kansas State—have collectively racked up four losses in conference play.

Utah and Kansas State still hold hopes for the playoffs, while Mike Gundy’s Cowboys seem to be struggling due to defensive issues, allowing 559 yards in a loss to K-State last Saturday.

This unpredictable conference race suggests a growing likelihood of only one team making the playoffs as teams knock each other out. The rest of the Big 12 schedule is set to feature numerous games with playoff implications leading up to December. The expanded playoff format certainly hasn’t diminished the excitement of the regular season.

Three Quick Points

1. Hugh Freeze likely believes that if Auburn faced Oklahoma nine more times, they’d come out victorious each time. The issue for Freeze is his team continuously loses matchups in reality, as they let an 11-point lead slip away, resulting in a surprising 27-21 defeat. Freeze holds an 8-10 record at Auburn. His case for a third season hinges on a recruiting class currently ranked 4th nationally in the 247Sports Composite. If that class starts to weaken, Auburn might decide against keeping Freeze, regardless of his buyout situation. And as we’ve seen, a hefty buyout hasn’t stopped Auburn from parting ways with coaches in the past.

2. Incredible as it may sound, Indiana is 5-0, and the story is not solely about the record but also their significant winning margins. Under first-year coach Curt Cignetti, they’ve had several dominant victories. They don’t face a ranked opponent until November when they meet Michigan and Ohio State. Indiana fans should stay focused on the football season instead of rushing into basketball mode.

3. Here are the latest “Topp Rope” projections for a 12-team playoff: Texas (SEC), Ohio State (Big Ten), Kansas State (Big 12), Miami (ACC), UNLV (Group of Five), alongside at-large bids for Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Penn State, Oregon, Southern California, and Clemson. Just outside the mix: Missouri, Ole Miss, and Notre Dame.

Blake Toppmeyer is the national college football columnist for the YSL News Network. You can reach him at BToppmeyer@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter @btoppmeyer.

The “Topp Rope” is his football column published regularly across the YSL News Network.