A Prominent Matchup in Week 3: LSU Visits Ole Miss as Kiffin Returns
Lane Kiffin is set to return to The Grove early in the 2026 season, with LSU traveling to Ole Miss for a Week 3 showdown at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on September 19. The SEC released its complete 2026 schedule Thursday, and that Ole Miss–LSU game will double as each team’s first conference game of the year.
Kiffin left Ole Miss for LSU after the 2025 regular season, even though the Rebels were in playoff contention. Pete Golding, who took over as full-time head coach, will be on the opposite sideline when Kiffin returns to Oxford.
Kiffin’s departure became a major college football storyline because Ole Miss finished the regular season with a program-record 11 wins and earned hosting rights for a first-round CFP game when Tulane visits next week.
In his introductory LSU press conference, Kiffin cited the college football calendar as a key reason the decision was so difficult, noting that the timing surrounding National Signing Day made an easier option unavailable. He acknowledged that there was no better way to handle the situation given the timing.
During a December 1 press conference, Kiffin described the previous 48 hours as, in his words, “sucky” for many people and stressed that the scheduling system played a big role. He also complimented Verge Ausberry and LSU’s NIL planning team for shaping a solid plan, including engaging with donors who are part of it.
Kiffin’s LSU tenure will begin with a Week 1 clash against Clemson, a rematch of the previous year’s season opener in which LSU defeated Clemson to start the 2025 campaign. Kickoff times for these games will be announced later.
