While Ole Miss has not had the toughest situation in the SEC in terms of COVID-19 positive tests and related quarantine and contact tracing issues, there was concern in recent weeks about having enough players available on a given day.

Coach Lane Kiffin offered the latest update on tests as the team prepares to play at Vanderbilt this week. Kiffin said Ole Miss didn’t have any positive tests that would potentially jeopardize the game at Vanderbilt, and he hasn’t heard anything from Vanderbilt that would alter plans either.

Kiffin also cautioned against the Rebels overlooking Vanderbilt because of its recent losses to South Carolina and LSU. The coach said he stresses to his players that every week is a new week and they must prepare accordingly. The main difference in Vanderbilt’s three games on defense is number of turnovers, and injuries and COVID issues have caused problems with depth.

“These guys are dangerous,” Kiffin said. “They played A&M extremely well, one score game, and right there in it, and they shut them down a lot of the game. We’re trying to get to 1-0. Doesn’t matter who the opponent (is), where it is. We need to improve. We need to play better, we need to finish games out.”