This is an opinion column

It’s not for a lack of effort.

Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin pulled out every trick in his little book of mischief when he saw the buzzards circling the Alabama football program. Perhaps nobody knows how to needle Nick Saban better than Kiffin. And certainly nobody takes more joy in it.

But when it counts and the smoke bombs clear, substance is required.

And Kiffin still doesn’t have it.

Alabama’s 24-10 win over Ole Miss was more significant than a two-touchdown margin for the same reason that margin mattered a week ago. It’s about how you did it. The Crimson Tide evoked Shula-era memories in a 17-3 win at lowly South Florida before turning around and playing some prime-Saban bully ball in the second half against Ole Miss.

Far from perfect as the first half showed, but it looked like the pride was back after being challenged by Alabama football alums over the past few weeks. Saban, with his own smirk, hinted at the restraint required when having a fifth touchdown called back by penalty this season or failing to score when starting a possession at the Ole Miss 1-yard line.

“So,” Saban said with a grin, “I have a lot of things testing my patience.”

Take that for what you will.

Context here is important because it’s hard to forget how relatively bleak things looked a week ago.

Kiffin no doubt sensed the weakness, a lot like he did a year ago when Alabama limped into Oxford a week after a playoff-extinguishing loss at LSU.

There was an impromptu Sunday zoom call with reporters for Kiffin where he volleyed the first shot over the state border. Questioning who is actually calling the Alabama defensive plays was a new level of troll, especially considering Kiffin doesn’t normally meet with the press on a Sunday evening. That forced Saban to craft a response for his Monday news conference while also dealing with the issues at quarterback, offensive line and general pride in performance that hadn’t been questioned in a while.

Kiffin continued all week with his signature subtlety.

The guy worked for Saban for three seasons in a match that baffled observers at the time and still today.

Saban’s the ultimate no-nonsense guy cut from the old school.

Kiffin’s the rascal who couldn’t stay out of trouble in school.

Their Alabama marriage clearly didn’t end well in a mid-playoff divorce following a disjointed offensive semifinal performance while Kiffin readied for a head coaching job at FAU.

Since returning to the SEC, Kiffin’s never missed a chance to thank Saban for saving his coaching career and call him the GOAT.

No doubt sincere but with also with a wink and a grin.

He was in that routine Saturday morning on the SEC Network when he added the final salvo.

“We’re excited for this opportunity today and you never know how many more you’ve got,” Kiffin said in the set up for the punchline. “Maybe this is our last time.”

Nobody missed the implication with Saban approaching his 72nd birthday with clear and extremely relative issues facing his program.

But like last year in Oxford, Kiffin smelled blood before getting socked in the mouth.

He’s now 0-5 coaching against Saban.

And with the new SEC scheduling format starting next fall that doesn’t include Alabama-Ole Miss, one can only wonder if Kiffin will ever complete the troll and actually beat Saban.

His old buddy Kirby Smart’s did it in the national championship game.

An even older buddy, Steve Sarkisian, did it two weeks ago and in decisive fashion.

Jimbo Fisher, to be clear, isn’t a buddy but he was the first former assistant to school the teacher.

But Kiffin’s still standing on his sideline with a party hat, probably arms folded with that blank stare.

And maybe there’s some sad clown makeup fading from the retirement party Kiffin scheduled but Saban canceled.

There’d be no abdication Saturday but not for a lack of effort.

Michael Casagrande is a reporter for the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @ByCasagrande or on Facebook.