In the updated Coaches Poll released after Week 3 of the 2026 season, LSU fell four spots to No. 11. Before the game, LSU was No. 7 in the Coaches Poll, and Ole Miss stood at No. 9. Meanwhile, Pete Golding’s Ole Miss squad rose three places to No. 6, moving Ohio State down to No. 7. The top five remained intact, with Texas on top, followed by Georgia, Notre Dame, Indiana, and Miami.
The Associated Press Top 25 mirrored these moves, though LSU dropped three spots to No. 10 and Ole Miss ascended to No. 4. Ohio State also slipped by one in the AP rankings.
Other changes from the weekend included Texas A&M plummeting 12 spots to No. 20 after a 31-21 loss at home to Kentucky. The AP Top 25 placed Mike Elko’s squad at No. 23.
LSU faces another opportunity to rebound in Week 4 as it hosts Texas A&M. While the stakes aren’t as high as a conference-improving showdown, a win over a ranked opponent would still carry momentum for the Tigers.
October presents a crucial stretch for LSU. The schedule is demanding but manageable, and a strong run could place LSU at 7-1 heading into the bye week. Kentucky and Mississippi State present challenges, while Auburn and McNeese State are expected to be more favorable opponents. The late-season slate will test LSU’s resilience, with a pivotal matchup against Alabama at Tiger Stadium on November 7 and a high-profile showdown with Texas on November 14. A road trip to Knoxville to face Tennessee on November 21 will cap a tough closing stretch.
Lane Kiffin’s team saw a standout performance from Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, who provided a decisive edge in the game. Chambliss, recruited to Ole Miss by LSU’s staff in part, chose to stay with the Rebels after Kiffin departed for Baton Rouge. He propelled Ole Miss to an early 17-0 lead and sealed the victory with a late 14-yard touchdown run.
LSU mounted a strong comeback in the second half, led by quarterback Sam Leavitt and running back Dilin Jones, with 17 unanswered points to tie the game at 24-24. Chambliss answered with a 14-yard bootleg run for a go-ahead score, and Ole Miss extended the lead with a two-point conversion. LSU drove deep into Rebel territory on the final possession, but a deflected fourth-down pass was intercepted in the end zone, preserving Ole Miss’s win.
This game marked a significant moment early in the season for both programs, with LSU aiming to rebound quickly while Ole Miss solidified its position among the top teams in the country.
