On September 27, 2026, quarterback Sam Leavitt led No. 10 LSU to a convincing 35–6 victory over No. 23 Texas A&M, passing for 312 yards and two touchdowns. Coach Lane Kiffin's aggressive play-calling, including a fourth-down decision, helped power the dominant win.
Ole Miss defeated LSU on September 19–20, 2026, in an upset victory when LSU coach Lane Kiffin returned to campus for the first time since leaving for LSU the previous fall. The Grove at Ole Miss was filled with mocking fans, and Mississippi's governor trolled Kiffin on social media following the loss.
Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss led the University of Mississippi to a 32-24 victory over LSU on September 20, 2026, in a matchup featuring Lane Kiffin's return to Ole Miss as LSU's coach after previously developing Chambliss at Mississippi. The win gave Ole Miss a cathartic victory over their former coach and a ranked opponent.
Mississippi prepared unprecedented law enforcement measures on September 18 for LSU's football game against Ole Miss, as coach Lane Kiffin returned to his former school. The state assembled its largest police presence ever for a college football game.
LSU defensive end Princewill Umanmielen was served legal papers on September 16, 2026 in a $550,000 lawsuit filed by Ole Miss over his July departure from the Rebels, intensifying tensions before the teams' Saturday matchup.
On September 14, 2026, LSU football coach Lane Kiffin said he expects 'a lot of attention and hatred' as his No. 7 Tigers prepare to visit No. 8 Mississippi on Saturday night. Kiffin claimed both sides 'won' when he left Ole Miss for LSU.
New LSU football coach Lane Kiffin won his debut with the Tigers in a lopsided victory over Clemson on September 6, 2026. The 51-10 win marked a strong start to his tenure at the program.