LSU schedule 2026: What to know about Lane Kiffin reunions with Ole Miss, Tennessee
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LSU schedule 2026: What to know about Lane Kiffin reunions with Ole Miss, Tennessee originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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Nearly a third of SEC schools hired a new head coach in the span of about six hours on Nov. 30, and the domino that set each move in motion was Lane Kiffin.
Kiffin finally ripped the band-aid off by announcing his decision to become the next head coach at LSU, but the writing had been on the wall. Florida moved on from Kiffin, hiring Jon Sumrall, which prompted Auburn to pivot to Alex Golesh and Arkansas to then pivot to Ryan Silverfield.
Ole Miss, meanwhile, promoted one of Kiffin's top assistants, defensive coordinator Pete Golding, to head coach.
Kiffin will meet three of those coaches in 2026, including a meeting in Oxford that could be one of the highlights of the college football season.
Here's a complete look at LSU's opponents for 2026 and when Kiffin will reunite with Ole Miss.
MORE LANE KIFFIN NEWS:
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- How much money LSU is giving Lane Kiffin to leave Ole Miss
- Complete winners, losers from Lane Kiffin's move to LSU
Does LSU play Ole Miss next year?
Lane Kiffin will return to Oxford to face Ole Miss in 2026, setting the stage for one of the premier events of the college football season, regardless of how well each team is playing.
LSU will play Ole Miss on Saturday, September 19 in Oxford.
Ole Miss schedule 2026
| Date | Opponent |
| Sept. 5 | vs. Louisville (Nissan Stadium) |
| Sept. 12 | vs. Charlotte |
| Sept. 19 | vs. LSU |
| Sept. 26 | at Florida |
| Oct. 3 | Open |
| Oct. 10 | at Vanderbilt |
| Oct. 17 | vs. Missouri |
| Oct. 24 | at Texas |
| Oct. 31 | vs. Auburn |
| Nov. 7 | vs. Georgia |
| Nov. 14 | at Oklahoma |
| Nov. 21 | vs. Wofford |
| Nov. 28 | vs. Mississippi State |
Does LSU play Tennessee next year?
LSU will play Tennessee on November 21, 2026 in Knoxville.
It's been 19 years since a young Kiffin left the Volunteers after one season to coach the Raiders in the NFL. One would think tensions have diminished since that point, but Kiffin saw golf balls and a mustard bottle fly toward him last time he coached in Knoxville while with Ole Miss.
LSU's date with Tennessee won't be as anticipated as the matchup with Ole Miss, considering some Volunteers players weren't even alive when Kiffin coached the team, but many fans haven't forgotten yet.
MORE LANE KIFFIN NEWS:
- Why Lane Kiffin's departure may impact Ole Miss' ranking in CFP
- Meet Pete Golding, Ole Miss' new head coach with Lane Kiffin gone
- Lane Kiffin's complete history of controversial exits in football
LSU schedule 2026
| Date | Opponent |
| Sept. 5 | vs. Clemson |
| Sept. 12 | vs. Louisiana Tech |
| Sept. 19 | at Ole Miss |
| Sept. 26 | vs. Texas A&M |
| Oct. 3 | vs. McNeese State |
| Oct. 10 | at Kentucky |
| Oct. 17 | vs. Mississippi State |
| Oct. 24 | at Auburn |
| Oct. 31 | Open |
| Nov. 7 | vs. Alabama |
| Nov. 14 | vs. Texas |
| Nov. 21 | at Tennessee |
| Nov. 28 | at Arkansas |
A non-conference matchup with Clemson at home is coming on Friday, Sept. 5 as Kiffin's earliest major test.
To no surprise, LSU's SEC slate is daunting, but the bulk of the Tigers' toughest matchups come at home against Alabama, Texas and Texas A&M. LSU's road slate is a bit lighter but includes games at Tennessee and Ole Miss, with the latter guaranteed to have all eyes on it as Kiffin returns to Oxford.
LSU will play each of the first eight weeks of the season, with its open date coming on October 31.
MORE:Why Lane Kiffin left Ole Miss for LSU
When will the SEC schedule be released?
The SEC released its full schedule on Thursday, December 11.
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