Seven Sports Illustrated writers called Saturday’s No. 7 LSU at No. 8 Ole Miss showdown a toss-up, but the staff leaned Tigers 4-3 in Lane Kiffin’s first trip back to Oxford.
Sam Leavitt’s status drove much of the uncertainty: LSU’s starting quarterback moved from doubtful to questionable after being limited this week with a reported throwing-shoulder issue.
Writers backing LSU pointed to the Tigers’ deeper roster, 23 tackles for loss through two games and confidence the offense can survive even if Leavitt is limited or replaced.
Ole Miss picks centered on quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, Kewan Lacy’s run game and a hostile Vaught-Hemingway Stadium crowd seeking payback after Kiffin left on Nov. 30, 2025 before the Rebels’ CFP run.
The stakes extend beyond revenge, with LSU carrying a first-place vote in both polls and both top-10 teams entering the game with realistic College Football Playoff ambitions.