It’s an early-season SEC matchup that pits the former coach against his old team. He left them hanging for the bigger, brighter program. Now, they meet on his old turf. Lane Kiffin comes back without his Heisman Trophy candidate quarterback, who looks set to miss this game. It’s the first top-10 matchup between the programs since 1962. Let’s dive in and make our LSU vs. Ole Miss picks, predictions, and best bets as we preview this SEC matchup.
Location: Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Mississippi
Date: Saturday, September 19th, 2026
Stream: ABC
Time: 7:30 PM ET, 4:30 PM PT
Spread: LSU -2.5 (-110), Ole Miss +2.5 (-108)
Total: Over 57 (-114), Under 57.5 (-110)
Moneyline: LSU -130, Ole Miss +115
LSU Vs Ole Miss Picks, Prediction, Best Bets, and Preview
Lane Kiffin had massive success at Ole Miss. He went 55–19 overall in six seasons, had four 10-win seasons, and six straight bowl appearances.
He had the first 11-win regular season in Ole Miss history in 2023. Then in 2025, Kiffin led the team to an 11-1 season and a College Football Playoff berth.
He accepted the LSU job and left the team without coaching them in the playoffs. Pete Golding, Kiffin’s defensive coordinator, took over and led the team to wins over Tulane and Georgia before finally losing to Miami in the semifinals. Golding remains the Rebels’ head coach in 2026.
How LSU Covers (-2.5)
The Tigers’ defense will be massive in this matchup. Sam Leavitt is listed as doubtful and likely missing this game with a shoulder injury. It puts the pressure on the defense. They have to slow down Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss and running back Kewan Lacey. If the defense can slow this game down and control it, that’ll be huge for LSU.
Dilin Jones has been the man on the ground for the Tigers; they’ll need him to step up in this one as he did against Clemson. Jones had 113 yards on 23 carries and two touchdowns. Landen Clark, the redshirt freshman Elon transfer, then just needs to manage this game. He’s a true dual-threat quarterback. If they can get a good mix of him on the ground and he protects the ball, the talent of LSU should win this game.
How Ole Miss Covers (+2.5)
With Leavitt out, it makes the chances much better for the Rebels. If they can get pressure on, and disrupt Clark, forcing mistakes and turnovers. That’s the quickest way to success for Ole Miss. They have a couple of studs in quarterback Trinidad Chambliss and running back Kewan Lacey. Both were on the team for Kiffin last year and are going to want to put their best effort out there to beat their old ball coach.
While LSU has the advantage of Kiffin knowing this team, Pete Golding also knows how Kiffin works and prepares. Ole Miss needs to play their game and make LSU keep up with the style of play they want. This is a sold-out Vaught-Hemingway; College GameDay is in Oxford, the crowd will be raucous, and that’s a huge advantage for the home team.
Game Total: Under 57.5 (-110)
These are two great teams with explosive offenses, but good defenses as well. LSU will want to play with a sense of urgency while keeping it under control. Ole Miss should be trying to attack the young LSU secondary early, but at the same time they don’t want to get into a shootout with the Tigers even with a backup in the game. This one should slide in on the under.
Trinidad Chambliss Over 39.5 Rushing Yards (-110)
Trinidad Chambliss is a gamer. He’s facing his old coach at home, in a big SEC game, against another top-10 ranked team. In Week 1, when the Louisville Cardinals gave them all they had, Chambliss turned to his legs, rushing for 60 yards. The Rebels quarterback crossed this mark seven times in 2025, including their only regular-season loss to Georgia, where he left it all on the field.
LSU -2.5 (-110)
At the end of the day, this LSU team just has more talent and better coaching. Lane Kiffin is going to have this squad prepared; he already knows this team’s tendencies and skills. He knows their weaknesses and where to target them. Landen Clark isn’t Sam Leavitt, but he’s a fine backup quarterback who can lead this elite team to the win on the road. It’ll be a close, tough-fought battle under the lights, but the Tigers take this one.
