OXFORD, Miss. (AP) — As Pete Golding prepares to make his head-coaching debut for Ole Miss in a College Football Playoff game, he’s pushing the message that the Rebels are “focused on the mission, not the man.” That “man” is former coach Lane Kiffin, the architect of the Rebels’ dynamic and high-octane offense. Kiffin lobbied to keep coaching Ole Miss in the postseason even after accepting LSU’s $13 million-a-year offer to coach the Tigers in 2026. But Mississippi sent him packing on Nov. 30. That set in motion coaching staff upheaval that the No. 6 seed Rebels have been forced to confront as they prepare to host 11th-seeded Tulane in a first-round playoff game Saturday.
NORMAN, Okla. (AP) — Oklahoma’s Brent Venables and Alabama’s Kalen DeBoer have experienced the ups and downs of leading major college football programs. Both replaced successful coaches, with DeBoer taking over for Nick Saban and Venables following Lincoln Riley. On Friday night, eighth-seeded Oklahoma will host ninth-seeded Alabama in a College Football Playoff matchup. Venables acknowledges facing criticism but believes the journey is worth it. Oklahoma’s defense and special teams have been key this season. DeBoer, who replaced Saban, has also faced challenges but remains committed to Alabama, dismissing rumors about other coaching opportunities.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Ja’Kobi Gillespie had 23 points and five assists to lead No. 20 Tennessee to an 83-62 victory over No. 11 Louisville, snapping a three-game losing streak. Nate Ament scored 13 and Jaylen Carey had 12 points and 10 rebounds for the Volunteers (8-3). Ryan Conwell scored 22 and Adrian Wooley had 19 for the Cardinals (9-2). Tennessee outrebounded Louisville, 35-30, and limited the Cardinals to just 38% shooting from the field. The Vols had a 14-2 run midway through the first half that gave them the breathing room they never lost.
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) — Trevon Brazile scored a career-high 26 points on 9-of-11 shooting from the field to lead No. 14 Arkansas to a 108-80 victory over Queens. Arkansas was never in trouble, taking a 24-point lead into halftime behind 60% shooting from the floor. Brazile had 18 points in the opening 20 minutes. Darius Acuff Jr., who finished with 23 points and 10 assists, scored 16 in the first half. Four other Arkansas players joined Brazile and Acuff in double figures. Billy Richmond III scored 15 points off the bench, Nick Pringle added 14, Karter Knox had 11 and D.J. Wagner provided 10. The win was Arkansas’ fourth in a row since losing to then-No. 4 Duke on Thanksgiving. The Royals were led by Nasir Mann with 16 points.
UNDATED (AP) — Curt Cignetti has been named The Associated Press coach of the year in college football for the second consecutive season. He is the first coach to win the award back-to-back since it was first presented in 1998. Cignetti has led Indiana to unprecedented success, with a 24-2 record over two seasons. The Hoosiers are 13-0 this year, Big Ten champions for the first time since 1967, and the top seed in the College Football Playoff. Cignetti received 47 first-place votes. Texas Tech’s Joey McGuire and Vanderbilt’s Clark Lea received two each, and Virginia’s Tony Elliott got one.
CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) — Clemson jumps out early to defeat South Carolina 68-61 on Tuesday night. Ace Buckner scores 19 points, while Carter Welling adds 16. The Tigers, now 9-3 overall, maintain a perfect 7-0 home record. Clemson’s largest lead is 56-43 with under seven minutes left. Nordin Kapic scores five straight points for South Carolina, narrowing the gap to 65-59 with 48 seconds remaining. Welling and Buckner seal the win with free throws. Kobe Knox and Mike Sharavjamts each score 13 points for South Carolina, now 7-4. Clemson faces Cincinnati next, while South Carolina hosts Albany on December 30.
STARKVILLE, Miss. (AP) — Josh Hubbard scored 34 points and Jayden Epps scored 20 points and Mississippi State had to fight to the end to hold off Long Island 87-83. Malachi Davis made a 3-pointer with 4:58 left and Greg Gordon’s 18 seconds later put the Sharks up 76-71. The Bulldogs used an 11-3 run and took the lead for good on two foul shots by Jayden Epps with 2:42 remaining. Jamal Fuller scored 18 points for LIU.
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Mikaylah Williams and Flau’Jae Johnson scored 14 points apiece and No. 5 LSU overwhelmed Morgan State 91-33. Despite the 11 a.m. tipoff, the 12-0 Tigers fed off the energy of thousands of school kids attending LSU’s annual field trip game. It was the Tigers’ eighth win this season by 50 points or more. Others in double figures for LSU were MiLaysia Fulwiley with 11 points, and Jada Richard and Grace Knox with 10 each. Morgan State, which lost for the fourth time this season by 50 points or more, was led by Ja’la Bannerman with eight points. It fell to 1-12.
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