LSU heads into Oxford, Miss., for a top-10 grudge match against eighth-ranked Ole Miss with a key reinforcement, as quarterback Sam Leavitt has been cleared to play after an uncertain 48 hours.
Leavitt’s health became a concern earlier in the week when a Wednesday injury report listed the Arizona State transfer as “doubtful” with an upper-body injury. The team upgraded him to questionable on Thursday.
The injury scare was a confusing development, as Leavitt appeared healthy after LSU’s 45-14 home win against Louisiana Tech.
Even though Leavitt threw three interceptions, the issue of health was not apparent, and after the game, there was no mention of an injury.
During ESPN’s “College GameDay” on Saturday, LSU head coach Kiffin set the record straight regarding his star quarterback.
“Sam’s doing great,” Kiffin said. “Early in the week, had a scare in practice but had a great recovery, worked really hard, and he’s ready to go.”
Over the last nine and a half months of animosity between Ole Miss and Kiffin (who left the Rebels at the end of 2025 in a bitter exit), Leavitt’s injury has become the latest chapter heading into their Saturday night showdown.
Even though LSU took its quarterback injury seriously, the Rebels weren’t buying it.
ESPN’s Pete Thamel got information from Ole Miss staff on Thursday morning that it wasn’t taking LSU’s bluff with Leavitt appearing on the injury report.
Leavitt has started the season on a good note with his new team, despite last weekend’s turnovers. This season, the Tigers’ signal-caller has 524 passing yards and five rushing touchdowns, both ranking second in the SEC.
The Tigers are going to need their quarterback to shake off last week’s woes as Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss comes into the game against his former coach on a hot stretch.
The Rebels quarterback has thrown for 574 yards — completing 71 percent of his passes — and five touchdowns.
The two teams collide with a huge amount of bragging rights and playoff implications on the line at 7:30 p.m. on ABC
