Lane Kiffin dishes on friendship with Kirby Smart ahead of pivotal Georgia-Ole Miss matchup

Lane Kiffin is preparing for an all-important showdown against this weekend, and he's thinking back on his past with Kirby Smart ahead of the matchup.

Ole Miss leader and Smart crossed paths while both were working for Nick Saban at Alabama, and it's something that isn't lost on Kiffin. During Friday's edition of SportsCenter, Kiffin joined the program to elaborate on the history the duo shares.

"Well, I sat next to him for two years. We shared a lot of time there, and he really helped me a lot," Kiffin reminisced. "That was a transition for me. I'm going into work for Coach Saban. Never worked for him. Really, I'd never worked with anybody on that staff. I was the new person. So, Kirby helped me in that transition, helped me during those two years. I've got a lot of respect for him, from that standpoint, and now he's running the best program in college football.

"He's [overtaken] Alabama and moved it to Georgia, and now they're the premier program with the best players in the country."

That's some high praise from Kiffin, as it's obvious he holds Smart in top regard. Still, there won't be any love between the two this weekend, as the Rebels will be looking to stifle the Dogs in Oxford.

Alas, it'll all come to a head on Saturday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. ET, and the game can be seen on ABC. Whichever team gets the win will be in prime position for the College Football Playoff , while the loser will be wondering if they'll receive enough help to have a shot.

Paul Finebaum: Ole Miss has 'a straight shot at the CFP' if it beats Georgia

Meanwhile, Ole Miss has a logical path to the College Football Playoff , but the Rebels have to beat , according to ESPN's Paul Finebaum. With three games left, Ole Miss is at 7-2 overall, with both losses coming in the SEC.

They were ranked No. 16 in the first CFP rankings Tuesday night, currently on the outside looking in. But a win over No. 3 Georgia at home? Oh, Ole Miss will shake things up alright.

"I'll offer a caveat, because it's actually only a two room apartment, but the point being Greeny, Ole Miss is a team to keep your eye on," Finebaum said on Get Up. "And really, this will be decided on Saturday. But should Ole Miss beat Georgia, they're at home, and they're a very good team that nobody is talking about.

"They will have a straight shot at the CFP. They have to beat Georgia though, which is a major mountain to climb."

Head coach Lane Kiffin has never led a team to the CFP before. However, following their dominant 63-31 win over on Saturday, the Rebels are in a fantastic position to earn an at-wide berth in the 12-team CFP.