Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin and quarterback Jaxson Dart should have addressed the media as a 6-1 team yesterday evening. However, the team somehow lost under the lights in Baton Rouge. This leaves the team in trouble regarding its playoff aspirations. Dart had an answer to what needs to happen if the team wants to reach its goal, and it's a simple one.
Five wins from five for Ole Miss is needed
The hypothetical record Ole Miss was looking to reach to make the playoffs was 10-2. Looking at the history of the top 12 teams in past regular season rankings, 10-2 would get you in. The way the season has started, some 9-3 teams may get in. However, the Rebels schedule doesn't have the strength to be a three-loss playoff team. It means one thing: something Jaxson Dart said is the team's goal after the LSU loss: win out.
""We have to win out… I don’t understand how we lost. They did a few gameplan things. I don’t understand how we lost.""Jaxson Dart to the media
The Rebels have five games left, and considering the opposition, five wins should get them into the first 12-team playoff. The Big ones are Oklahoma and Georgia at home, and a win over a top-five-ranked Bulldogs team would be a statement win.
If Ole Miss can eliminate mental errors and penalties, they are capable of accomplishing what seems like a daunting task. The defensive front is playing lights out, and if the offensive line can figure it out, this team can still reach its goals.
The team has a bye week to reflect and get right before they face another wounded SEC team in Oklahoma. The Sooners are another team with a good defense, so the offense has some work to do before they face off in two weeks.
They fixed things quickly after the Kentucky loss, and despite the loss yesterday to LSU, this was a game they should have won. It had nothing to do with the team not wanting it as much as the Tigers. Several players and coaches can hold their heads high, but some others need to do a little bit more going forward.