College football is serving up a rivalry for the ages this weekend, with the Magnolia Bowl set to be a top-10 showdown for the first time in an insane 64 years. That’s right, we haven’t seen LSU and Ole Miss both ranked this high against each other since 1962, but everyone’s buzzing about Lane Kiffin’s controversial return to Oxford less than a year after he bolted for Baton Rouge. Talk about high stakes and bad blood, right?
Kiffin’s Homecoming Chaos and a Quarterback Question Mark
Kiffin himself knows exactly what’s coming, telling everyone, “I know obviously a lot is going to be made about me, but this is about the players being prepared really well and playing really well. I told the players {Monday} you don’t have anything to worry about, as far as attention on you all week, and there’s just going to be so much attention, hatred, everything on me.” You gotta respect the guy for owning the spotlight, but let’s be real, the pressure is on! What’s even more critical for LSU heading into this No. 7 vs. No. 8 clash is the health of their quarterback, Sam Leavitt. The Arizona State transfer was listed as doubtful on the initial injury report, missed Wednesday’s practice with back tightness, and then got upgraded to questionable on Thursday. Kiffin’s keeping things tight-lipped too, saying, “We’ll see. It’s still early. We’re still not there yet so we’re still looking at everything and, hopefully, everything will be good.” That kind of vagueness before a game this big? It’s enough to make any fan sweat.
Saints Seek a Comeback After Rough Start While Kamara Returns
Meanwhile, over in the NFL, the New Orleans Saints are desperately trying to turn things around in Week 2 after a truly brutal season opener. They went down 21-0 against the Detroit Lions, and while quarterback Tyler Shough threw for a career-high 410 yards and three touchdowns, he also turned the ball over three times, including one right on the first play of the third quarter. Shough admitted there was “a lot to clean up, just as a whole offensive unit and especially myself. I wish I would have just kind of gone through my operation and had cleaner feet earlier on. My feet were too quick, and I was trying to be too perfect.” He’s gotta fix that fast. The good news? Running back Alvin Kamara, a 10-year veteran, is back in action for his season debut! He missed the opener recovering from a knee injury suffered in a joint practice with the Dallas Cowboys during training camp, but Kamara’s ready. He said, “I’m going. If it wasn’t right, I wouldn’t be in so I feel great, moving well, really no limitations.” That’s huge for the Black and Gold.
Can LSU overcome the Kiffin circus and a questionable QB? Can the Saints get off the mat with Kamara back in the lineup? We’re gonna find out fast! No. 7 LSU and No. 8 Ole Miss kick off their week three showdown Saturday night at 6:30 p.m., and the Saints hit the road to face the Ravens in Baltimore for a 12 p.m. local time game in Week 2. It’s gonna be a wild one.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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