Watch: Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin says team “really struggling” health wise, shares impressions of IU

Is the Outback Bowl in jeopardy?

Although a total of 18 bowl games have been canceled so far due to the pandemic or other financial, venue or sponsorship issues — Indiana’s second consecutive bowl appearance is still on.

But IU’s Outback Bowl opponent Mississippi is facing real challenges.

Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin told the media on Monday that his team is “really struggling” with various issues heading into the matchup against IU on Saturday.

Kiffin said the team, and in particular the offense, is dealing with several issues ranging from injuries to COVID-19 cases to players deciding to opt out of the game.

Ole Miss has not been to a bowl game in five years, and Kiffin appears intent on getting his team to Tampa.

“We’ve not talked about not playing,” Kiffin said. “We just want to be a part of a bowl game after this long of not being in one. We’ve not even discussed that. I don’t even know what our [COVID-19] numbers are because we’re just going.”