LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt is officially doubtful for Saturday’s massive showdown against No. 8 Ole Miss, and that’s a gut punch for the No. 7 Tigers. ESPN’s Pete Thamel broke the news, confirming what On3.com’s Pete Nakos reported as a sore throwing shoulder for Leavitt. CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz even added that the signal-caller didn’t throw a single ball at practice on Wednesday. Seriously, this game just got wild.
Leavitt’s Absence Shifts Everything For LSU
This isn’t just any injury; Leavitt has been a force for LSU in their 2-0 start. He’s completed 62.1 percent of his throws for 574 yards and two touchdowns in just two games. What’s even crazier? He’s a monster on the ground, rushing for 135 yards and five scores, averaging 5.9 yards per attempt. Losing that kind of dual-threat power, especially with four interceptions already this year, puts LSU in a tough spot heading into a Top 10 matchup. Talk about high stakes.
So, who steps up if Leavitt can’t go? Landen Clark and Husan Longstreet are the guys Kiffin will have to lean on. Clark, a transfer from Elon, has made brief appearances in both games, going 7-of-10 for 109 yards and one touchdown. Longstreet is a redshirt freshman who came over from USC. It’s a huge ask for either of them to jump into a game with this much heat, but hey, that’s college football, right?
Lane Kiffin’s Dramatic Return To Ole Miss
But let’s be real, the QB drama isn’t the only story here. The real fireworks are going off because LSU head coach Lane Kiffin is traveling back to Vaught-Hemingway Stadium for the first time since he bolted from Ole Miss to take over the Tigers in the 2025 season. This is revenge game central for Ole Miss fans, no doubt. Kiffin had the Rebels rolling in 2025 with an 11-1 record and a College Football Playoff appearance on the horizon before he dipped out for a monster seven-year, $91 million contract with LSU.
Pete Golding stepped in after Kiffin’s exit, and what did he do? He led Ole Miss to a 13-2 record and a CFP semifinal appearance in 2025! Both teams are sitting pretty at 2-0 right now, but this game means so much more than just a win-loss record. It’s about Kiffin facing his old team, his old fans, and a program that thrived even after he left.
LSU needs to capitalize on Ole Miss’s biggest weakness. The Rebels’ secondary has been struggling, allowing 243 yards per game through the air, making them the second-worst pass defense in the SEC. Can LSU’s backup QBs exploit that? Or will Ole Miss step up for their former coach’s return? You absolutely cannot miss this one. Kickoff is Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET. Get ready for some chaos.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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