Ole Miss has been in the national college football conversation more than at any time in its modern era courtesy Lane Kiffin's arrival in The Grove prior to the 2020 season.
The Rebels, ranked No. 9 in the AP Top 25 after debuting this season at No. 6 before an upset-loss at home against Kentucky, now are in the national conversation for events on the field but not due to their elite play.
Ole Miss's propensity to have players shaken up -- cramps, injuries, no one really knows -- is a trending topic these days, more so following the team's dominant win last Saturday at South Carolina.
A reporter noted there were at least 11 stoppages of plays due to Ole Miss players going down after the whistle -- or before the next snap.
It's enough that Friday evening, Ole Miss felt compelled to distribute an official statement on the burgeoning controversy.
"Feigned injuries has become a notable topic in college football, and we realize our program has been part of that discussion," per a statement attributed not to any individual but simply to Ole Miss Football. "We have been in communication with the National Coordinator for Football Officiating (Steve Shaw, the veteran former head of officiating for the Southeastern Conference) and provided relevant medical information for his review to answer questions about recent injuries.
"We have also updated the SEC office, and our head coach (Kiffin) will communicate with our coaches and players to ensure we conduct ourselves properly and are compliant in this matter.”
The behavior of the Rebels last weekend drew the muted ire of South Carolina coach Shane Beamer, who visibly appeared frustrated by the "injuries" in his postgame but kept his comments ... tempered.
"It's remarkable, to me, how many, maybe it's something ... and listen, I've got my own problems; we just got our butts kicked 27-3. But it's fascinating to me, how many injuries occur for them after the opposing offense makes a first down," Beamer said last Saturday. "Or has a big play.
"And, you go back and watch the Wake Forest game, it happens a lot to the same guy."
That element is destined to be a subplot Saturday night as the Rebels visit longtime rival LSU in a battle of one-loss teams.
Kickoff in Death Valley is 7:30 ET (ABC). The contest also marks the first meeting between Kiffin and LSU's Brian Kelly since the two traded barbs in the preseason regarding Kiffin's commentary on the nutritional data for a 20-ounce Coke.