Ole Miss’ win vs. LSU becomes 2nd-most watched college football game of 2026 season to date
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One of the most anticipated college football games of the 2026 season delivered in multiple ways, and it drew the highest TV ratings of Week 3. Ole Miss’ victory over LSU is now the second-most watched game of the year to date.
An average of 10.9 million viewers tuned in Saturday night as the Rebels took down the Tigers in Lane Kiffin’s return to Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Viewership peaked at 13.7 million viewers as ESPN recored its eighth most-watched game in the last decade, the network announced.
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Texas’ comeback victory over Ohio State at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium remains the most-watched game of the young season with 14 million viewers in Week 2. Full Week 3 college football TV ratings are expected later Tuesday evening.
There was plenty of buzz around LSU’s trip to Oxford to take on Ole Miss. It was the first time Kiffin faced off against his former program following his high-profile departure at the end of the 2025 regular season. The game then got the primetime treatment in ABC’s 7:30 p.m. ET slot, and ESPN’s College GameDay was also in attendance with a live virtual interview with Kiffin during the show.
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Trinidad Chambliss stole the show, though, with a monster performance to lead Ole Miss to the victory. He completed 33 of 48 passes for 363 yards and two touchdowns in the air, and he ran in what proved to be the game-winning touchdown with 6:14 to go in the fourth quarter. JT Lindsey then punched in a two-point conversion to make it a 32-24 lead for Ole Miss, which held as the final score.
It was an emotional night in Oxford for multiple reasons as Kiffin, who spent six years at Ole Miss, returned for the first time. That was one of the storylines leading up to the matchup, which had potential to be one of the most-watched games of the entire season.
After the game, though, Ole Miss coach Pete Golding made clear there’s still more to accomplish this season. Winning the Magnolia Bowl was one step in that process, and the Rebels will now turn their attention to a matchup at Florida this week.
“It wasn’t the Super Bowl, and we didn’t make it to be the Super Bowl,” Golding said. “I think the goals and the expectations that (university chancellor) Glenn Boyce and Keith (Carter) have set for this place aren’t about winning one football game in September.
“And so am I super proud of them? Absolutely. But that’s three years since we’ve been here that we’ve come home with that (Magnolia Bowl) trophy.”
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