As readers know, the Odyssey has been counting down the days until Lane Kiffin visits Oxford for a most unique Magnolia Bowl.

Give Kiffin his due:  He is unparalleled at stirring the pot.  Whoever concocted the latest Dr. Pepper campaign is an unquestioned, marketing genius.  When Brian Bosworth pulls him over for an “illegal Lane change,” way too funny.  They catch a classic Kiffin scene as he imperiously rolls up his window.

The Odyssey is very interested in the new John Talty book, “Lane Being Lane” and Talty’s interview this week with the Mouth of the South.  Nick Saban allegedly described him as a “c*cksucker” in Kiffin’s final, alcohol-fueled days in Tuscaloosa.  Talty observed that when Kiffin leaves a place, “he leaves bodies everywhere.”

Kiffin’s hatred of Ole Miss is a bit hard to understand.  Less hard to understand is Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry’s desire to have Kiffin as LSU coach.  Landry talks about bringing in aerial security support and the National Guard to Oxford for Saturday night’s tilt.  In the same breath, Landry asks for “southern hospitality” for LSU.  Was southern  hospitality used when LSU raided a playoff-bound coach during Ole Miss’ playoff run?

In the latest saga of this soap opera, LSU’s defensive end dervish, Princewill Umanmielen, was served papers by Ole Miss staff yesterday for non-compliance with his Ole Miss NIL deal.  Landry hilariously responded that Ole Miss should have waited until Saturday night to serve the Prince as Ole Miss will find Prince continuously in the Ole Miss backfield.

Whatever one thinks of Kiffin and Landry, there is no shortage of laughs.  However, these belly laughs cannot trump that the Magnolia Bowl is also a morality tale.  GO REBELS!