Predicting SEC football scores in Week 3: Lane Kiffin returns to Ole Miss

Predicting SEC football scores in Week 3: Lane Kiffin returns to Ole Miss

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Predicting SEC football scores in Week 3: Lane Kiffin returns to Ole Miss

Get your popcorn ready — there is some good SEC college football in Week 3. All eyes are going to be on LSU traveling to Ole Miss. It will be Lane Kiffin’s first game back in Oxford since leaving the Rebels last season.

There is already drama surrounding Kiffin’s return and there should be a lot of excitement on Saturday night. But that isn’t the only game that’s worth watching.

There could be offensive fireworks in the Mississippi State vs. South Carolina game, while Florida vs. Auburn will tell us a lot more about both teams.

MORE: Predicting ACC football scores in Week 3: Early implications in SMU-Louisville clash

Mississippi State vs. South Carolina

NCAA Football: Mississippi State at Minnesota

Sep 12, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Kamario Taylor (1) breaks the tackle attempt of Minnesota Golden Gophers defensive back John Nestor (17) during the fourth quarter at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nick Wosika-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

If you like offense, you’re going to like this one. Through two weeks, both of these offenses are in the top five in total offense. Mississippi State is averaging 620 yards per game and is ranked No. 2, while South Carolina is ranked No. 5, averaging 573 yards per game.

And it all starts with the QBs. Mississippi State’s Kamario Taylor has emerged in Heisman talk after throwing for 581 yards and seven passing TDs, while also rushing for 145 yards and scoring one TD on the ground. The Gamecocks have a star, too. LaNorris Sellers has 486 total yards and four scores this season.

South Carolina is the home team and it has star edge rusher Dylan Stewart coming back this weekend. This will be Taylor’s biggest challenge yet, and the home team has a slight edge.

Final score: South Carolina 38, Mississippi State 35

Florida vs. Auburn

NCAA Football: Campbell at Florida

Sep 12, 2026; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators running back Jadan Baugh (13) rushes with the ball against the Campbell Fighting Camels during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

We are going to learn a lot more about both of these teams this weekend. Auburn has a good win, going back to Week 1, when the Tigers took down Baylor, 17-16. QB Byrum Brown has had turnover issues, throwing three INTs in two games.

Florida’s defense is going to challenge Brown, but what do we really know about the Gators? Jon Sumrall’s team has played both FAU and Campbell, wiping the floor with both of them. Transfer Aaron Philo has thrown for 517 yards, while RB Jadan Baugh has ran for nearly 300 yards, while scoring five TDs.

Auburn is the home team, but the Gators look explosive offensively.

Final score: Florida 31, Auburn 27

No. 7 LSU vs. No. 8 Ole Miss

NCAA Football: Charlotte at Mississippi

Sep 12, 2026; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels wide receiver Johntay Cook II (0) reacts with running back Kewan Lacy (5) after a touchdown during the first quarter against the Charlotte 49ers at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

It wouldn’t be Lane Kiffin’s return to Oxford if there wasn’t drama. Shockingly, the Tigers listed star QB Sam Leavitt as doubtful on Wednesday, ahead of LSU’s trip to Ole Miss. Leavitt played in both wins over Clemson and LA Tech, but is supposedly dealing with a sore shoulder.

Ole Miss isn’t buying Leavitt won’t play on Saturday, and it’s hard to imagine the Arizona State transfer not on the field. Leavitt is the key to the Tigers’ offense and Kiffin needs him on the field if they are going to win.

The Rebels can score points and if Leavitt doesn’t play, this game could get away in a hurry. But we should all expect Kiffin will play Leavitt.

Final score: Ole Miss 34, LSU 31

The rest of the games will be quick-hitter style

  • No. 2 Georgia 41, Arkansas 10
  • NC State 31, Vanderbilt 27
  • No. 9 Texas A&M 38, Kentucky 17
  • No. 10Alabama 41, Florida State 17
  • No. 20 Missouri 48, Troy 20
  • No. 24 Oklahoma 41, New Mexico 7
  • No. 15 Tennessee 49, Kennesaw State 3
  • No. 1 Texas 45, UTSA 6

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