Lane Kiffin is set to make a notable return to The Grove during the 2026 college football season, as LSU faces Ole Miss in Week 3 at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on September 19. The matchup, which is part of the Southeastern Conference’s recently released full schedule, will also be the inaugural conference game for both teams that year.
Kiffin’s move from Ole Miss to LSU, following the 2025 regular season, became a headline story in college football, particularly as Ole Miss was positioned for the College Football Playoff at that time. The Rebels achieved a historic milestone by winning 11 games in the regular season for the first time in the program’s history and will host Tulane in a first-round playoff game next week.
In his introductory press conference at LSU, Kiffin expressed the difficulty of leaving Ole Miss, emphasizing how challenging the timing was, particularly with National Signing Day approaching shortly after his hiring. He noted, “The last 48 hours, in a lot of ways, sucked,” as he navigated the complexities of the situation. Kiffin hinted at future improvements in college football scheduling processes in hopes of mitigating such challenges for coaches and programs.
As he begins his new chapter at LSU, Kiffin will kick off the season with a highly anticipated Week 1 game against Clemson, which will serve as a rematch following LSU’s victory over Clemson at the start of the 2025 season. The official kickoff times for these matchups are set to be announced later.
This transition not only highlights the evolving landscape of college football but also showcases the promise of intriguing rivalries and matchups in the upcoming seasons. As fans eagerly await the return of Kiffin to Oxford, the 2026 season anticipates being filled with competitive spirit and high-stakes football.