Well, Lane Kiffin doesn't seem to be mellowing with age. To the contrary, Kiffin looks like he enjoys going out of the way to create some controversy. He did so at July's SEC Media Days in Nashville when he called out both the transfer portal and the "disaster" of the current college football landscape, and saved his harshest comments for NIL policies. Of course, that was all before he admitted that his Rebels take advantage of these things like everyone else. Or rather, more than everyone else, as Ole Miss has 40 new scholarship players between transfers and first-year recruits this fall, with nearly half of the roster turned over since last season. It's all so very Kiffin.

We suspect Kiffin (and his super-agent, Jimmy Sexton) also rather enjoys the annual coaching rumor mill that can be counted upon to whirr out his name every November and December.  Last fall, it was Auburn, with many reports that Kiffin was bound for the Tigers. Kiffin, though, continues to receive contract extensions and upgrades, the latest coming down around Thanksgiving. Sexton was able to goose Kiffin's annual salary from the $7.25 million to $9 million range. Next thing you know, Kiffin (or Sexton) might be dropping rumors of a move to the Saudi Pro Soccer League...

Bruce Marshall's full breakdown of Ole Miss' 2023 outlook, which includes how he's playing their win total, can be found below as part of SportsLine's preview of the SEC season.

SEC preview: Conference winner | Alabama | Arkansas | Auburn | Florida | Georgia | Kentucky | LSU | Mississippi State | Missouri | Ole Miss | South Carolina | Tennessee | Texas A&M | Vanderbilt

2023 Ole Miss at a glance

• Last Year: 8-5 SU, 4-8-1 ATS, 6-7 O/U
  
• Returning Starters: Offense 7; Defense 7
• Win Total: 7.5 (Over +100, Under -120)
  

What do you need to know about Ole Miss before locking in your SEC futures bets? And which side of their win total makes for the best play? ... Join SportsLine right now to see SEC futures betting strategy from a veteran college football expert!