The stakes are already sky-high for Saturday’s showdown between No. 4 LSU and No. 13 Ole Miss, but off-field storylines have added even more fuel to the fire. The Rebels and Tigers will meet for the 113th time in Oxford, Mississippi.
Now, another chapter is being written in this historic SEC rivalry, with both programs eyeing a potential run to the College Football Playoff. But beyond the Xs and Os, the week has been dominated by headlines involving Lane Kiffin’s daughter, but this time a passionate commentary from LSU alumnus Ryan Clark.
Landry Kiffin’s Relationship Sparks Rivalry Buzz with Ryan Clark’s Passionate Call to LSU
Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin’s daughter, Landry, made waves earlier this week when she went public with her relationship with LSU linebacker Whit Weeks. She posted a photo of herself sitting on Weeks’ lap, captioned “Happy” on Instagram, a move that instantly drew attention given the timing of LSU’s trip to Oxford.
The “hard launch” provided LSU fans with fresh ammunition in a rivalry already brimming with intensity, and adding to the buzz, former LSU star and ESPN analyst Ryan Clark delivered an emotional message to Tigers fans and players ahead of the game on his recent appearance on ESPN College Football. Framing Landry Kiffin’s relationship as symbolic of LSU’s psychological edge, Clark declared,
“This is straight to the LSU fans, to the LSU players. You see what they doing, right? We the top five team, but we the underdog in Oxford. You already see what’s happening, he didn’t already infiltrate. You see the hard launch with Lane Kiffin’s daughter this week because we getting in their heads already.”
Clark then turned his attention to LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, encouraging him to seize the moment with a Heisman-worthy performance.
“You know what, Garrett Nussmeier, go in. Go win the Heisman this week. Go get the number one pick this week. It’s time for the blowout. Cam Newton walking in here? We not worried about him either, cuz ain’t nobody talking about Auburn.”
Referencing LSU’s resilience in past games, Clark reminded listeners of the program’s ability to thrive under pressure: “So when we get there, right, what happened? Clemson, Heather Dinich, ‘Oh, Clemson going to win.’ Beat them. Went up there and beat them. ‘Oh, Florida come to town.’ Five picks. DJ Lagway.”
Finally, he turned his fire toward Ole Miss itself, mocking the Rebels’ signature chant: “And so now it’s time to go to Oxford and take over. There are people in the stands screaming ‘Hotty Toddy.’ You know what that sounds like? That sounds like something you drink when you got the flu, and then you put on a sweater and a blanket. So when we get down there, I want the Tigers to unleash. I want to take over that little small, tiny stadium.”
Clark’s message framed the rivalry as a proving ground not just for rankings, but for pride, history, and identity.
Beyond the headlines, plenty of football questions will decide this clash. Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss has stepped up in the absence of Austin Simmons, but he now faces perhaps the toughest defense he has seen all year. LSU, meanwhile, looks to find consistency in its run game against an Ole Miss defense ranked last in the SEC against the rush.
As the Tigers and Rebels prepare for battle, the rivalry has been given a modern twist through social media drama and national media commentary. But when the ball is kicked off in Oxford, all eyes will turn back to the field, where both programs have the chance to make a defining statement in their push toward an SEC title.
