‘It’s a Border War’ – Brian Kelly Makes His Feelings Clear on Ole Miss-LSU ‘Rivalry Game’ After Being Replaced by Lane Kiffin
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Lane Kiffin’s LSU is preparing for a high-voltage game against Pete Golding’s Ole Miss, with both teams entering the matchup undefeated.
The game is seen as one of the weekend’s biggest attractions as Kiffin returns to Oxford, but the excitement surrounding the rivalry has grown even further after former LSU head coach Brian Kelly made a bold statement about the game.
Brian Kelly Calls LSU-Ole Miss Rivalry a “Border War”
Ahead of Week 2’s game with Missouri, Kansas’ social media team generated plenty of attention with an intense hype video celebrating the history of the rivalry between the Jayhawks and Tigers.
The video highlighted the rivalry’s long history and its connection to the Civil War-era conflict between Kansas and Missouri. Missouri ultimately defeated Kansas 38-21 in the latest edition of the Border War.
Kelly, meanwhile, used the same “border war” terminology when discussing the LSU-Ole Miss rivalry. While some college football rivalries are built around tradition and mutual respect, Kelly believes the upcoming game between the Tigers and Rebels has a much different edge.
“Why all the emotions over a game that’s played for a flower?” Kelly said. “I thought this was much more about friendship and love. That’s not the case in this game. LSU-Ole Miss is a rivalry game. It’s a border war.”
During Kelly’s four-year tenure at LSU from 2022 through 2025, the Tigers went 2-2 against Ole Miss. This year marks the first time since the 2021 season that he will not be on the sidelines for the Magnolia Bowl between the two SEC programs.
The matchup has drawn additional attention this season because of Kiffin’s return to Oxford, who left Ole Miss only months ago to become LSU’s head coach.
“That now, with the backdrop of everything else, has obviously created what we have,” Kelly added. “But this can be a heck of a football game, and playing in the SEC, when you go on the road, regardless of what all the other circumstances are, you better be ready to play because this is going to be one fun football game to watch.”
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Despite his former connection to LSU, Kelly also said he would lean toward Ole Miss in the game because of his confidence in Trinidad Chambliss. The Rebels quarterback finished last season with a 90.3 PFN College Football QB Impact grade, which ranked fifth nationally.
Kelly explained that he has not developed the same level of confidence in Sam Leavitt, whom Kiffin brought in through the transfer portal as part of his effort to strengthen LSU heading into his first season in Baton Rouge.
This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.
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