Ole Miss predictably declined to do so, leading to a contentious statement from Kiffin on Sunday in which he claimed athletic director Keith Carter turned him down "despite the team also asking him to keep coaching them so they could better maintain their high level of performance."

On Tuesday night, the College Football Playoff selection committee confirmed what became apparent Saturday in Norman: The Sooners are in.

How it handles Kiffin’s departure over the weekend is among the biggest mysteries heading into the reveal of Tuesday night’s final set of rankings before the bracket is locked in on Sunday. The Rebels were ranked No.