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Kiffin: Alabama has advantage with ability to 'cherry-pick' transfers

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Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin believes Alabama's pull in the transfer market sets the Crimson Tide up to be "one of the most talented teams ever."

With Alabama taking on Ole Miss on Oct. 2, Kiffin discussed the challenge in trying to compete with the Crimson Tide's talent level.

"For years now, you've had the issue when you play Alabama, they have five-star players like an NFL team, and (the program is) better than some NFL teams at certain positions," Kiffin said, according to Michael Casagrande of AL.com. "Now they go cherry-pick players for any holes they may have, like an Ohio State receiver (Jameson Williams) or a Tennessee linebacker (Henry To'o To'o).

"So now, it's like they not only get the best draft picks, but they (also) get to go into free agency and take players. So, it really is going to set up one of the most talented teams ever, which is what we're getting ready to play."

Williams and To'o To'o have made an immediate impact since transferring to Alabama. Williams leads the club with 218 receiving yards, while To'o To'o has a team-high 22 tackles.

Alabama moved to 3-0 after a nail-biting 31-29 victory against Florida on the road. Kiffin downplayed talk of the Crimson Tide being vulnerable despite their narrow win.

"I wish the media would stop upsetting coach (Nick) Saban by saying this is a weak team or (it) has weaknesses," Kiffin said. "I mean, they went on the road into a top-10 team, into the Swamp, and won with a freshman quarterback."

Alabama defeated Ole Miss 63-48 last season and currently has a five-game winning streak against the Rebels.

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