Paul Finebaum knows it would have been a critical moment for Nick Saban if Alabama lost to Ole Miss. But now things appear to be back on track for the Crimson Tide.

“A win is just another ass-kicking of Lane Kiffin,” Finebaum said on The Matt Barrie Show on Sunday. “Is that a big deal? That’s kind of an annual event for Nick Saban.”

Saturday was similar to last year in a similar spot where Ole Miss had a chance to win the game, but “threw up all over the place,” Finebaum said.

Finebaum noted that every shot Kiffin took last week leading up to the game failed, and while Kiffin suggested that it could be the last time he faces Saban, Finebaum said he better hope it was the final time.

“We need to accept that’s who Lane Kiffin is, and I don’t understand, Matt, why the media falls for Lane’s antics every week as if there’s going to be a payoff,” Finebaum said. “… Nick Saban can coach until he’s 100 years old and he’s still going to beat Lane Kiffin every single time.”

Barrie then relayed a conversation he’s had with Dan Mullen, in that as a coach at one of the Mississippi schools, a coach must pounce at every chance he gets to take the SEC West because it only comes around every 3-4 years, if that.