The long-awaited matchup between LSU and Ole Miss took place Saturday night in Oxford, Mississippi. This was the first time since 1962 that both teams were ranked inside the AP Top 10 during the same game. The game kicked off at 7:30 PM ET on ABC from Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. LSU entered the game as a narrow three-point road favorite over Ole Miss, according to betting guides. The contest carried major stakes, with both teams looking to make a statement in the SEC race and the College Football Playoff conversation.
Ole Miss made the stronger statement by defeating LSU 32-24. The No. 8 Rebels built a 24-7 halftime lead before No. 7 LSU fought back in the second half. LSU scored 17 unanswered points to tie the game at 24.
Ole Miss head coach Pete Golding described the game as a top-tier matchup with deep significance, according to Sports Illustrated. He emphasized that the rivalry and former connections between players and coaches make this game feel like a high school homecoming for many. Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss said the outside distractions won’t affect his team’s focus. He added that this is just another game for the Rebels, regardless of the attention it draws.
Chambliss ended up playing a major role in the victory. His 14-yard touchdown run with 6:14 left put Ole Miss back in front. The Rebels then converted a two-point conversion to take a 32-24 lead. LSU drove deep into Ole Miss territory on its final possession but Jaylon Braxton intercepted a pass in the end zone to secure the victory.
Wide receiver Deuce Alexander noted before the game that the team was concentrating on fundamentals and game preparation. The game drew attention from major media outlets, including ESPN’s College GameDay. Brad Pitt narrated the ABC preview for the game, adding to its cinematic feel. The event was compared to a late-season showdown despite occurring in Week 3.
Pitt’s introduction used Fleetwood Mac’s “Go Your Own Way” as the soundtrack. ESPN debuted the special preview during College GameDay before the ABC broadcast. Actor Morgan Freeman also appeared on College GameDay as the celebrity guest picker and openly supported Ole Miss.
The atmosphere in Oxford matched the buildup surrounding the game. Ole Miss increased security for Lane Kiffin’s return after he left the Rebels to become LSU’s head coach. Fans packed Oxford and directed much of their attention toward Kiffin throughout the day. Reuters reported before the game that additional officers and mounted patrols were brought in to handle the expected crowds.
Ole Miss controlled much of the first half before LSU responded after halftime. The Tigers erased a 17-point deficit and entered the fourth quarter tied with the Rebels. Chambliss then led Ole Miss on the drive that produced the deciding touchdown.
The victory gave Ole Miss an important early-season SEC win and handed Kiffin his first loss as LSU’s head coach. The result also gave the Rebels a victory over their former coach in his first game back at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium
IMAGE: LSU Tigers Football fan tailgating with tiger hat and pose, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.. Photo: thepipe26 / Wikimedia, taken 2012-11-03, CC BY 2.0