Lane Kiffin, never one to shy away from controversy, took aim at the latest College Football Playoff rankings after Tuesday night, voicing his frustration over what he perceives as unfair evaluations. The Ole Miss head coach while on his radio show Wednesday night singled out Clemson and the ACC, along with the Big 12, questioning why the No. 12 Tigers are now ranked so high despite their strength of schedule.

“It’s ridiculous, the difference of playing in the SEC and the ACC and Big 12,” Kiffin said. “To see these rankings – I’m not even doing the Ole Miss homer thing. To think that you’re looking at schools and you’re talking about, like, Clemson’s schedule and who they played over Alabama. It’s stupid. … I’m not gonna name them. Take some of those teams that are up there that haven’t played anybody and put them down in the SEC, they’re .500 teams.”

Clemson, sitting at 9-2, has a pivotal opportunity to strengthen its playoff case this weekend when it faces No. 15 South Carolina. The Gamecocks, fresh off a rise in the rankings of their own, represent a key test for the Tigers. A win could boost Clemson’s resume significantly, especially with the potential chaos in other conferences. While the Tigers could still make the ACC Championship Game if Miami loses to Syracuse, a victory over South Carolina may be enough to keep propel them into the playoff, regardless of other results.

Meanwhile, Kiffin’s complaints about strength of schedule carry a hint of irony. Ole Miss had its own opportunities to make a strong case for the playoff but faltered when it mattered most. Last weekend’s 24-17 loss to Florida, effectively ended their playoff chances.

Kiffin’s frustration also raises the question of what truly defines a playoff-worthy team. Clemson has handled its ACC schedule and taken care of business for the most part, even if its strength of schedule doesn’t rival that of SEC teams. Ole Miss, on the other hand, has struggled to rise above the crowded middle tier of the SEC and fallen to an unranked Kentucky and Florida, and now an unranked LSU team.

Regardless of conference, winning games still should mean something. Losses have to account for something.

While Kiffin’s critiques about the CFP process aren’t without merit, they also serve as a reminder of Ole Miss’ own shortcomings. Clemson’s season may not have been perfect, but it has positioned itself to stay in the playoff conversation—something Kiffin and the Rebels can only envy as they head toward another respectable, but unremarkable, bowl game.