Two days. That’s all that stands between Oxford and the biggest regular-season night the Grove has hosted in years. No. 8 Ole Miss (2-0) welcomes No. 7 LSU (2-0) on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET (6:30 CT) on ABC — the Rebels’ first top-10 meeting in this rivalry since 1962 — with ESPN’s College GameDay setting up in the Grove and Lane Kiffin returning to the sideline he left. It’s the SEC opener, and it has a season-shaping feel. Let’s get you caught up. Hotty Toddy.
On the Latest Locked On Ole Miss
On our latest show, we went full LSU with a Locked On SEC crossover — Chris Gordy joined to break down the only game anyone’s talking about this weekend. The theme: this one turns on a handful of plays, so the margin for error on both sides is razor-thin. Expect the training wheels to come off for Trinidad Chambliss — more designed quarterback runs, a bigger role for the tight ends, and a real answer at the No. 3 receiver spot. We also chewed on the coin toss: should Ole Miss defer and unleash Vaught-Hemingway on LSU’s very first snap? My call was Rebels 35-31; Gordy took the Tigers 38-23. As I put it, “It’s going to come down to four plays in this game. If you make them, you’re gonna win.”
Football
SEC availability report: LSU’s Sam Leavitt listed doubtful
Thu., Sep. 17 · last 24 hours.
The conference’s initial availability report landed with LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt carrying a “doubtful” tag, though the beat expects him to suit up Saturday. Ole Miss ruled out a reserve cornerback and an offensive lineman; LSU listed a receiver, a linebacker and a running back as out. Keep an eye on the final Friday update. (Sports Illustrated)
Golding zeroes in on the secondary as LSU week ramps up
Wed., Sep. 16 · last 24 hours.
Coach Pete Golding said the secondary’s repeated missed assignments — “the same mistake again regardless who’s in” — are the priority fix this week, and praised the offensive-line growth of Connor Howes and Patrick Kutas. Kewan Lacy touted the new backs’ “different dimension,” while Deuce Alexander embraced life as WR1: “It’s on me now.” (Ole Miss Athletics)
First look: GameDay returns to the Grove for a top-10 clash
Mon., Sep. 14.
The 115th meeting of the Magnolia Bowl brings College GameDay back to the Grove for the first time since 2021. Ole Miss won last year’s edition 24-19; this year LSU arrives averaging 48.0 points and 586 yards a game behind a stingy defense. Kickoff is 6:30 CT on ABC from Vaught-Hemingway. (Ole Miss Athletics)
Vegas makes LSU a slim road favorite in Oxford
Thu., Sep. 17 · last 24 hours.
Even with a raucous home crowd and GameDay in town, Vegas has installed No. 7 LSU as a 2.5-point favorite over No. 8 Ole Miss, with the total sitting at 57.5. It’s a rare look — a top-10 home team as a short underdog — and a measure of how much respect the Tigers’ offense commands heading into Saturday. (VegasInsider)
Chambliss on facing Kiffin: “It’s going to be weird”
Sun., Sep. 13.
Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, who stayed in Oxford when Lane Kiffin left for LSU, kept the reunion light: “It’s going to be weird. It is what it is. I might say what up to them.” He then called on Rebel fans to make Vaught-Hemingway as loud and uncomfortable as possible for the Tigers’ offense. (Yahoo Sports)
Ole Miss climbs to No. 8, sets up top-10 showdown with No. 7 LSU
Sun., Sep. 13.
The new AP Top 25 moved Ole Miss up to No. 8 after a 41-9 handling of Charlotte, while LSU climbed to No. 7 following a 45-14 win over Louisiana Tech. Both enter Saturday 2-0, giving the Rebels a chance to bank a marquee top-10 win in their SEC opener. (The Rebel Walk)
Golding: Denson “for sure” plays; secondary rotation continues
Sun., Sep. 13.
Golding said safety Sharif Denson “for sure will play this week” after a midweek injection, and that the staff will keep rotating defensive backs until five earn the trust. Another corner is “hopeful” but may go down to the wire — the kind of depth Ole Miss stockpiled for a night exactly like Saturday. (Sports Illustrated)
Ole Miss News
Heading to Oxford? What LSU-weekend fans need to know
Wed., Sep. 16 · last 24 hours.
With GameDay broadcasting from the Grove starting at 8 a.m., expect a packed campus. Mobile tickets now require NFC “Tap and Go” — screenshots won’t scan — so load them to your wallet early. Permit-only campus parking, Grove Loop construction detours and shuttle service round out the game-day logistics. (KNOE)
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