Lane Kiffin is the rumored favored candidate for Auburn’s vacant head coaching position. Ole Miss is on a bit of a skid having lost 3 of its last 4, but will be looking to right the ship in its regular season finale against Mississippi State in the Egg Bowl on Thursday.

Kiffin acknowledged the rumors on Saturday following the Rebels’ loss at Arkansas, joking that the Auburn administration may slow down their pursuit of him if they had watched his team’s 1st-half performance as it trailed 35-6 at the break. The loss came days after Ole Miss reportedly offered Kiffin a contract extension and a raise that would put him among the top 10 highest-paid head coaches in the sport.

Kiffin on Monday, during his Egg Bowl week press conference, was asked whether players brought up the rumors linking him to Auburn, and if the rumors have led to distraction.

“It doesn’t. They know how we operate…It’s a pro mindset of preparing every day to get better and winning,” Kiffin said. “I mean, I don’t know what else to say. I’m extremely happy here…[there’s a] difference in where this program is now compared to 3 years ago and [it] feels that we have really good support.”

Kiffin later referenced the infamous “pine box” comments Tommy Tuberville made in 1998 claiming he was committed to remaining at Ole Miss in the wake of his own rumored move to Auburn, only to later take the job.

“I could give whatever it was, the ‘pine box speech’…So, I don’t know what else to say,” he remarked. “[I’ve] been here 3 years and been fortunate enough to now have 3 different contracts, so I don’t know why all of a sudden the 4th contract…makes people feel better.”