He has the satellite camps and is making an effort to put Michigan back amongst college football’s elite, but head coach Jim Harbaugh still remembers the painful loss he suffered to his brother, John (Baltimore Ravens), in Super Bowl 47 as the coach of the San Francisco 49ers.
Despite being winless in two tries, Monte Kiffin’s eldest son has chance a revenge this weekend against his younger brother and the Ole Miss Rebels. Third-year offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin was nothing short of remarkable, during his first two seasons on Nick Saban’s staff.
While his creativity opened up Alabama’s offense, a balance was maintained in both the run game and passing attack. No other team within the Southeastern Conference seemed to have a formula to disrupt Kiffin’s success, until the Crimson Tide traveled to face Ole Miss in 2014.
Chris Kiffin is in his sixth year at defensive line coach for the Rebels, dating back to 2011.
He coached one of the nation’s top units last season, forcing 29 sacks and 15 interceptions. Ole Miss limited opponents to 22.6 points a game, while allowing 3.33 yards per carry in 2015.
Alabama looked like the better team on paper in 2014 and 2015, but Kiffin’s scheme to generate negative plays was a thorn in Saban’s side. Six turnovers doomed the Tide in both meetings, including four (interceptions) that came off pressure from Mississippi’s defensive line.
The brothers enjoy creating mismatches to help their respective teams, but Saturday’s game comes to which one will generate an edge and hold on to it.
Stephen M. Smith is a senior analyst and columnist for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @Smsmith_TDALMag.
