The game many have looked forward to since Lane Kiffin left Ole Miss for LSU more than seven months ago is finally here.
The Rebels (2-0) host the Tigers (2-0) Saturday at 6:30 p.m. at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Miss. (ABC).
According to media reports, about 90,000 people are expected to be in the stadium with several more thousand outside. Extra troopers from the Mississippi Department of Public Safety will be on hand.
Kiffin was named head coach at LSU on Nov. 30 after six seasons at Ole Miss. He led the Rebels to an 11-1 record in the regular season last year, the best in school history.
After accepting the LSU job, Kiffin requested to coach Ole Miss through the playoffs. He was denied the opportunity. Defensive coordinator Pete Golding took over and led the Rebels to the semifinals and was subsequently named head coach.
Several members of Kiffin’s staff made the move with him. Four players — defensive end Princewill Ummanmielen, linebacker T.J. Dottery, receiver Winston Watkins Jr. and offensive lineman Devin Harper — transferred from Ole Miss to LSU.
Ole Miss did retain quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, who received a preliminary injunction for a sixth year of eligibility after being denied by the NCAA.
Kiffin is well aware of the attention that will be focused on him. But he said the game is not about the coaches.
LSU is ranked No. 7 in the coaches’ and AP polls. Ole Miss is No. 8 in the AP poll and No. 9 in the coaches’ poll.
It’s the first time in 64 years both teams have gone into the game ranked in the top 10.
“I told the players today, man, you don’t have anything to worry about as far as attention on you all week,” Kiffin said Monday during his weekly press conference. “There’s just going to be so much attention, hatred, everything on me. You just have to go play.
“I said, really, the pressure’s on them. We won seven games last year. They won 13. They return two Heisman candidates. How often does that ever happen in the same backfield?”
Golding said he has maintained a good relationship with Kiffin during his press conference. He talked about how Ole Miss has always been known for creating a great atmosphere for top 10 matchups and that’s what he expects Saturday.
He wants the fans to be hyped and loud, but he doesn’t want any enmity toward Kiffin cloud their judgement.
“Let’s not lose that over a game, over a person, over anyone else like that,” he said. “There’s nothing wrong with being competitive and being in the moment and being really loud and being an unbelievable fan… but at the end of the day don’t lose what we have created.”
The big news during the week was that LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt was listed as doubtful on the Wednesday injury report. On Thursday, he was upgraded to questionable. According to On3, he has been dealing with a sore shoulder.
If he doesn’t play, a redshirt sophomore Landen Clark, who transferred from Elon, will likely get the start. He has played in both games in mop-up duty.
Last week against Louisiana Tech, LSU turned the ball over four times in the first half, including three interceptions, and led just 10-7. Big the Tigers pulled away in the second half. LSU defeated Clemson 51-10 in their opener.
Ole Miss defeated Charlotte 41-9 last week and Louisville 41-38 in its opener.
The two Heisman candidates Kiffin referred to are Chambers and running back Kewan Lacy. Chambliss has completed 44-of-62 passes for 561 yards and five touchdowns with one interception. Lacy has rushed for 148 yards on 30 carries and scored three touchdowns.
Deuce Alexander is the team’s leading receiver with 13 catches for 235 yards and two touchdowns. Kiffin is obviously familiar with all three players.
Kiffin said Chambliss has the ability to extend plays and makes few mistakes.
“You’ve got to remember you’re dealing with a really mature quarterback that doesn’t make many mistakes so you’re going to have to play really well for a long period of time,” he said. “And Trinidad would be 24 years old now still playing college football. That’s the same as Drake May and Caleb Williams so he’s got a lot of maturity and age and a lot of plays in big-time games.”
LSU’s defense has been dominant in the first two games. The first team defense hasn’t allowed a touchdown and very few first downs. Umanmielen had three sacks last week.