By EDDIE PELLS AP National Writer

Mississippi lost a coach but gained in the College Football Rankings that were released on Tuesday, moving up a spot to No. 6 despite the sudden departure of Lane Kiffin to LSU.

Ole Miss officials were concerned that the selection committee might ding them after Kiffin departed for their SEC rival on Sunday, potentially putting their chances of hosting a CFP first-round game later this month in jeopardy.

“Obviously, our team is still intact,” Mississippi athletic director Keith Carter told ESPN on Tuesday. “Our players are fired up and ready to go. We’ve got a great staff that’s ready to roll throughout the playoff run.”

Mississippi defeated rival Mississippi State, 38-19, on the road in last week’s Egg Bowl, which turned out to be Kiffin’s final game

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