The No. 8 Ole Miss Rebels will host the No. 7 LSU Tigers on Sept. 19 in Vaught-Hemingway Stadium for one of the most talked-about matches of the year. With familiarity and turnover between the two teams, there is plenty to breakdown at each position to see who holds the advantage.
Quarterback
Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss is the clear winner of this comparison. Chambliss has totaled 561 yards, five touchdowns and just one interception through two games. This season, LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt has just two passing touchdowns to four interceptions.
Since Leavitt is a transfer from Arizona State, this is his first year in a new system. He is still adjusting to playing under head coach Lane Kiffin.
“I remember watching him back at Arizona State. (I noticed) his athletic ability there,” Golding said. “He’s got a big arm. I think the experience is there. He’s taken a team to the playoffs before coming off the injury. There’s a lot of questions of how well would he really move, and he moves really well.”
Despite turnover on the Rebel offensive staff, Chambliss is in his second season of running the Ole Miss offense and looks just as good as he did in 2025.
Running backs
LSU’s running back core features Dillon Jones, Harlem Berry and Caden Durham. Jones leads the way for the Tigers with 179 yards on 41 carries. Berry and Durham have combined for 10 carries and only 14 yards.
For the Rebels, Kewan Lacy leads the backfield with 148 yards and three touchdowns on 30 carries. Rotational back Makhi Frazier has 38 yards on nine carries, and JT Lindsey has eight carries for 28 yards. The Ole Miss backfield seems to have the upper hand in this matchup because of its depth, physicality and proven ability to get more yards on fewer carries.
Offensive line
The Rebels have returned crucial players on the offensive line like Delano Townsend, Patrick Kutas and Brycen Sanders. They also added a major portal piece in Tommy Kinsler IV. The Tiger offensive line has great line-of-scrimmage control but allowed five sacks against Louisiana Tech. The Rebels have allowed just one sack this season. Since the Rebels have a more seasoned and consistent offensive line, Ole Miss has slight leverage in this position group.
Tight ends
LSU tight end Trey’Dez Green has 10 catches for 162 receiving yards and one touchdown through two games for the Tigers. Green is considered one of the best tight ends in the country.
For the Rebels, Caleb Odom did not play against Charlotte but had three receptions for 66 yards and a touchdown in Week 1. His status is not confirmed for LSU, so he may not play.
Luke Hasz has just three catches for 17 yards. The Tigers are more dominant at the tight end position.
Wide receivers
Deuce Alexander headlines the Ole Miss wide receiver group. He is the main returner for the Rebels and is off to a hot start with 13 receptions for 235 yards and two touchdowns. Horatio Fields and Caleb Cunningham have also contributed to the Rebel receiver group, but questions around depth still surround Ole Miss pass catchers.
Jackson Harris is the main deep target for the Tigers. He has totaled four catches for 112 yards this season. LSU also can rely on Eugene Wilson III, who has 10 receptions for 128 yards. The Tigers seem to have figured out their wide receiver depth earlier than Ole Miss.
Former Rebel Winston Watkins followed Kiffin to LSU. He is an integral part of the Tiger offense. He has 12 receptions for 153 so far this season.
“Winnie’s a huge part of their offense. He very rarely comes off the field. (They) use him in multiple different ways,” Golding said. “Moving him around from a priority passing standpoint and taking shots, so he’s a big, big piece of that offense.”
Defensive line
The Ole Miss defensive line is a very strong and talented unit. The unit has already proven it is capable of stopping the run, although there have been moments when the defensive line has not been able to pressure the quarterback.
Transfer Princewill Umanmielen is the main producer for LSU’s defensive line. Deuce Geralds and Richard Anderson are younger members of the LSU defensive line, but they have already made significant impacts with two tackles, a forced fumble and four quarterback pressures.
This battle is still up in the air. Both teams beefed up their defensive lines through the portal. This Week 3 matchup could come down to which line can outperform the other.
Secondary
The Ole Miss secondary has struggled heavily to begin the 2026 season. The Rebels have allowed numerous chunk plays because of missed tackles and broken coverages. The Rebels will return fall camp standout Sharif Denson, who missed the first two games due to injury, against LSU. He should make a significant impact on the secondary.
On the other hand, the Tiger secondary is among the best in the country. The unit has a great ability to break up passes because of taller players like DJ Pickett and Dashawn Spears. LSU also has lots of experience and depth in the secondary.
Linebackers
Whit Weeks and Ole Miss transfer TJ Dottery lead LSU at linebacker. Weeks and Dottery have lots of SEC experience. The Tiger linebackers have meshed quickly, with Dottery having already forced two fumbles against Louisiana Tech.
Ole Miss has star hybrid returner Suntarine Perkins in the linebacker group, alongside transfers Luke Ferrelli, Keaton Thomas and Tah’j Butler. While this group also has lots of experience, it is still piecing things together and learning how to gel as a unit.
Kicker
Ole Miss kicker Lucas Carneiro is one of, if not the best, kicker in the country. His powerful leg is a major advantage for the Rebels. Against Charlotte, he knocked down a 57-yarder and has four total field goals on the year, including a game-winner against Louisville.
LSU kicker Scott Starzyk is reliable for the Tigers. He has drilled every extra point this season, and has made four of five field goals, with his longest kick being a 47-yarder. Carneiro easily outshines Starzyk in this category.
