Category: sports

Social media giant makes splash with Egg Bowl deal

Corporate sponsorship of college athletics is not new, but a special sponsorship for Mississippi’s biggest ballgame is.

Facebook has signed up as the presenting sponsor of the Egg Bowl.

That sponsorship comes with a branded logo for the game (see above) and branding under the script State logo on the 50-yard line (see below) for Friday’s contest at Davis Wade Stadium.

The Facebook branding will be on the field at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium for the 2026 Egg Bowl.

Friday’s announcement came six days after commercial branding made its debut on the Ole Miss football field with the Aflac logo for the Florida game.

Learfield, which made the Egg Bowl deal, did not say how much the social media giant paid the schools for the right to display its logo or how long the sponsorship will last.

The latest on Lane Kiffin

Many expected to find out Lane Kiffin’s football coaching future Friday after a meeting with top Ole Miss officials. We at least know what the future apparently holds through the end of next week.

So the white hot speculation in the days leading up to that meeting will not subside just yet, especially since two other Southeastern Conference schools still want Kiffin as their coach and are willing to wait for his answer. Yahoo Sports reported Friday night LSU is looking to make an offer that may include a contract worth at least $90 million and a big money investment in NIL. That report comes after a Thursday meeting between representatives of Kiffin and Florida, according to 247 Sports. Former Mississippi State and current Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin reportedly took part in that meeting.

Also not likely to subside is the grumbling by some fans that Ole Miss is even in such an awkward position in the first place.

Meanwhile, the 10-1 Rebels not only have the Egg Bowl ahead but a likely appearance in the College Football Playoff, which could include an opening round game at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.

As for AD Keith Carter, he has two challenges to address if Kiffin departs for Baton Rouge, Gainesville or elsewhere:

  • Choose an interim coach
  • Choose a permanent replacement

The second challenge would likely be the tougher task since Ole Miss would not be the only school looking for a football coach from the same group of candidates — a group that becomes smaller if Arkansas, Auburn and the Florida/LSU loser make hires before the CFP first round December 19 or 20.

Then again, Carter could find his new coach in Oxford if the interim coach can guide the Rebels to a successful postseason run.

The latest on Lane Kiffin

Michael Cauble is the sports director at WBRZ-TV in Baton Rouge, and his post on X Sunday capped what was an interesting day when it came to waiting on a job decision by Ole Miss head football coach Lane Kiffin.

It appeared the wait would not take much longer.

Website of The Athletic where Stewart Mandel reports Ole Miss wants an answer soon from its football coach.

However, Kiffin denied the university pushed for a decision by next week’s game.

“That’s absolutely not true,” he told Pat McAfee on Monday. “There’s been no ultimatum, anything like that at all. I don’t know where that came from. I love it here. It couldn’t be better.”

Sunday’s reporting by The Athletic came as The Advocate and On3 reported members of Kiffin’s family made visits to Gainesville on Sunday and Baton Rouge on Monday since Florida and LSU want to hire the hottest coaching candidate this season.

Speculation about Kiffin’s future comes as Ole Miss tries to keep the coach who has led the Rebels to a 10-1 season and a likely appearance in the College Football Playoff.

Kiffin has been public about his love of the university and of Oxford in his six seasons there, but the public pursuit of his services puts him in an enviable position — being in such high demand that he can make high dollar demands and get most, if not all, met.

Three fan bases and the college football world will soon find out what the future holds.

Kickoffs and tipoffs

Star indicates games will be played in Kansas City, Mo., at the Hall of Fame Classic and will be streamed on Peacock along with the television broadcast on the new NBC Sports Network.

The two Tuesday games will be streaming only (SEC+ for men, ESPN+ for women).

Thursday’s MSU women’s game will be streaming only (ESPN+).

Final from the Tad Pad

Ole Miss men’s basketball remains undefeated with a victory Friday night in the final game at Tad Smith Coliseum. Mississippi State men’s basketball hopes to rebound from its loss to a Top 25 team on Monday with a weekend win over SLU.

Saturday’s focus, however, is on football with the Bulldogs seeking a sixth win in hopes of becoming bowl eligible while the Rebels will play a Florida team with fans who would like to make Lane Kiffin the Gators’ new coach.