Just a few hours left until Kiffin’s future becomes official. Fresh off Ole Miss’s 38-19 win over Mississippi State, Kiffin was asked again about his next move. And while he didn’t say anything definitive, he didn’t shut the door either. With LSU emerging as the leading contender for his signature, even a subtle pause carries weight right now.

“You know, I miss my dad. That’s what I miss. So, my two calls will be the closest to that for advice on what my dad would say to do on these things, and that’ll be Coach Carroll and Coach Saban.” Kiffin said in the press conference.

It’s the Saban part LSU fans seized on. Seeking input from the coach who built LSU’s early-2000s identity is, at minimum, an intriguing hint. The program has already offered a $90 million incentive-heavy deal. However, it faced competition from Florida and Ole Miss, both willing to match the money. But among all these pursuits, why does LSU make sense, and why is the smoke so thick?

Because LSU has spent the week going all-in on Kiffin. No broad search, no mystery candidates, just a direct, highly public push to pull him out of Oxford. Apart from the incentive, the courtship has stretched to his family, with Knox seen wearing LSU headphones and the Tigers’ brass working hard to win over those closest to him. Beyond the money, LSU offers a return to a blue-blood ecosystem with national championship credentials and a recruiting base that keeps the playoff window open year-round. And with virtually zero chatter around any other candidates, the message out of Baton Rouge couldn’t be clearer.

Now that he has confirmed that he will talk to Nick Saban, fans could see Kiffin don the Tigers’ jersey next season in Baton Rouge after all. However, he will be wary of some ‘problems’ in the LSU camp, especially after Brian Kelly’s no-cause termination was revealed. It’s the kind of administrative dysfunction a coach notices: especially one weighing stability against opportunity. Add in the political gravity inside LSU’s decision-making structure, and Kiffin has plenty to consider.

But the other side of the scale is Baton Rouge itself. A powerhouse brand, a 2019 national title, and a roster talented enough to flip quickly under the right coach. Kiffin knows the pros. He knows the cons. Now, it’s on him to cut through the smoke.

Lane Kiffin’s arrival would mean the end of the journey for Frank Wilson

A Week 10, 25-49 loss at the Tiger Stadium saw Brian Kelly departing the Tigers. Frank Wilson was chosen as the successor, stepping up as the interim head coach. In three games, Wilson has managed to find two victories and one loss. But that won’t cut it for Wilson, as LSU has already made its intentions clear about Lane Kiffin.

If Lane Kiffin accepts the job, it would mean the end of Wilson’s journey as the interim head coach. So, Wilson has the chance to leave the helm with a victory against Brent Venables’ Oklahoma side in Week 14. The Sooners come into the matchup as 10-point favorites and have been on an amazing run, taking down Tennessee, Alabama, and Missouri to reach Week 14.

If Frank Wilson manages to win at the OU Memorial, it would be the perfect send-off for the LSU veteran.