Both teams are ranked in the top 10 entering the game for the first time since 1962, which Kiffin addressed on Monday. “It’s the most relevant matchup of these two teams in 64 years,” he said.
Based on the teams’ recent history, we should expect a doozy. Four of the past six meetings (including the last three) have been decided by six points or less. On two of those occasions, LSU and Ole Miss combined to score over 100 points.
As dangerous as the two offenses are, the Tigers must be much more careful with the ball than they were against Louisiana Tech in Week 2 when committing four turnovers, including three interceptions from quarterback Sam Leavitt. If it comes down to battle of the quarterbacks, Ole Miss and Trinidad Chambliss would seem have an advantage.
LSU may have the defensive edge, however. It’s allowed 36 rushing yards through two games, and Pro Football Focus data shows the Tigers rank near the top in the NCAA in several advanced metrics, including third in both expected points added per play (negative-0.6) and explosive play rate (5.4 percent).
The storylines are endless for Saturday’s heavyweight showdown. We can only hope it lives up to the hype.
Early Monday, the Florida State Seminoles fired athletic director Michael Alford, which ESPN’s Andrea Adelson reported “comes as the Seminoles grapple with looming decisions about their football program.”
According to CBS Sports, head coach Mike Norvell’s head could be the next to roll.
“Alford’s exit means Norvell’s days are likely numbered,” CBS Sports wrote. “The decision,” writer Brad Crawford added, “had been trending for weeks and FSU’s board did not want Alford making the football program’s next coaching hire.”
It might not be a reach to suggest Norvell could be coaching for his job over the next few weeks. In Week 3, Florida State travels to No. 10 Alabama, followed by games against No. 25 Virginia, No. 23 Louisville and No. 5 Miami the first three Saturdays of October.
State of College Football Playoff expansion
Despite recently opening a negotiating window with ESPN to potentially grow the playoff field to 24 teams for next season, “That doesn’t mean [it] will happen,” according to SEC commissioner Greg Sankey.
ESPN college football reporter Alex Scarborough wrote on Tuesday about potential hangups to expansion, including discrepancies in scheduling, with Sankey in favor of a model that requires teams play 10 power conference games.
But any proposal that ices out mid-majors could face challenges. The clock is ticking for the field to double in size, and there may be too many questions to reach a consensus in time.
Inside Jon Scheyer’s NBA decision
During a recent appearance on the “Glue Guys” podcast, Scheyer explained his decision to stay at Duke amid summer reports of him being courted by the Dallas Mavericks, telling co-hosts Shane Battie, Alex Smith and Ravi Gupta, “I wouldn’t be able to live with myself, not seeing this thing through.”
The Mavs eventually hired former Michigan coach Dusty May, while Scheyer is set to embark on his fifth season at Duke. Since taking over for coaching legend Mike Krzyzewski, he’s led the Blue Devils to a 124-25 record and three ACC Tournament championships, including two consecutive. But a national title remains elusive, although with another top recruiting class, that may soon change. If so, Scheyer might be the next college coach to make the leap to the pros.
WCBB stars eyed for LA28
On Sunday, Team USA won its fifth straight FIBA Women’s World Cup, and sights are already set for the next global competition.
With the Los Angeles Olympics two years away, roster projections are already emerging, and USC guard JuJu Watkins and UConn forward Sarah Strong were recently shortlisted by The Athletic.
Watkins, a two-time AP All-American, is gearing up for her third season after missing all of 2025-26 while recovering from a torn ACL. Strong is the reigning AP Player of the Year and seeking a second national title in three years.
When the two begin their seasons in November, the world will be watching. It’s never too early to scout the competition.
