Eli Manning Credits Ole Miss Fans, Says He's Moved Past Lane Kiffin's Departure

The former Rebels quarterback praised the Oxford crowd for the win over LSU and Kiffin's former coach, while calling the playoff exit what-ifs the real sticking point.

Eli Manning said he has not dwelled on Lane Kiffin's decision to leave Ole Miss for LSU, though he understands why the fan base reacted emotionally to the coach's departure.

Manning, who narrated the team's hype video before last Saturday's 32-24 win over LSU, told Front Office Sports Tonight that the atmosphere in Oxford carried the Rebels. "The stadium was rocking," he said, pointing to a fast start, a big lead, and plays from Trinidad Chambliss in what he called a great college football game.

On Kiffin, Manning said Southeastern Conference fans live for football and invest heavily in their teams, so feelings of betrayal naturally produce strong emotions.

The former quarterback's main regret is what might have been. He noted Ole Miss reached last season's playoff semifinal without Kiffin, losing to Miami 31-27 on the final play, one step short of the national championship game. He called it the best opportunity the program has ever had and suggested a title was within reach had Kiffin stayed.

Still, Manning said he is thankful for what Kiffin built over six years, taking a struggling program to the brink of a championship. As for the coach's exit: he wanted to go somewhere else, Manning said, so fine, go and move on. Ole Miss is ranked No. 4 in the latest AP top 25.