Lane Kiffin offers insight into QB decision for Week 5 showdown with LSU
By Jake Faigus
Published:
The Ole Miss Rebels have started the season undefeated at 4-0, but might be in the middle of a quarterback controversy. Austin Simmons was the projected starter for the Rebels. However, Lane Kiffin has a difficult decision due to his injury and Trinidad Chambliss’s play.
When talking with the media at Monday’s press conference, Kiffin did not give much information about Austin Simmons’s health, but he did make clear that if he is healthy, he will be the starter for the Rebels.
“We’ll have to evaluate (Simmons’) health and then make a decision,” Kiffin said. “Today was just a walkthrough, so it’s not enough to evaluate. But at 100% he was our starting quarterback. But we don’t know what percentage he’ll be.”
Chambliss has run the offense incredibly efficiently for Lane Kiffin and the Rebels. He has totaled 660 yards passing and 174 yards rushing with five combined touchdowns. Chambliss has the experience factor over Simmons, too, coming over from Ferris State as a two-time national champion. He also played well against Arkansas and Tulane, and this week, there is a steep upgrade in defense against LSU.
Simmons saw brief playing time against Arkansas, even throwing a touchdown pass, but he reaggravated a leg injury. There was hope that he could play against Tulane, but they did not need him.
It is clear that Simmons might still offer the best path to the future for the Rebels with his upside, but if the Rebels decide to stay with Chambliss, that is a great backup plan too.
