The College GameDay Picks: Ole Miss Football vs. LSU Tigers in Top-15 SEC Showdown

Lane Kiffin and Co. square off against the Bayou Bengals in Week 5, ESPN's College GameDay crew make their picks.

Jan 1, 2025; Pasadena, California, USA; From left: Desmond Howard, Rece Davis, Nick Saban, Pat McAfee, Lee Corso and Kirk Herbstreit on the ESPN Gameday set at Rose Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

No. 13 Ole Miss will return to action on Saturday afternoon for a Top-15 SEC showdown against the No. 4 ranked LSU Tigers at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.

After significant buildup leading into the clash, all eyes are on the pair of unbeaten Southeastern Conference rivals with kickoff set for 2:45 p.m. CT in Oxford.

Lane Kiffin and Co. are coming off of wins over Georgia State, Kentucky, Arkansas, and Tulane, but the competition-level will rise once again in Week 5.

“They’ve done a great job and Brian Kelly spoke about how they spent a lot of money in the portal this time around and it’s paid off, like for most people," Kiffin said this week.

"I think the numbers were Miami, Texas Tech and LSU spent the most money in the portal and look how they’re playing. Usually pays off well and they’ve done well.

Courtesy of Ole Miss Rebels Football.

“It’s an unusual Louisiana defense. You have one starter from Louisiana. Just shows where three of their starters on D-line and three of the four in the secondary are portal guys. Just different than the old ways of building.

"Lot of credit to them for embracing the portal. Now they’re by far the most-talented defense since we’ve been here playing them. Not even close.”

Now, with kickoff inching closer, the ESPN College GameDay crew has logged their expert predictions ahead of game time.

The Game Information: Week 5 Edition

Matchup: Ole Miss Rebels vs. LSU Tigers
Kickoff Time: 2:45 p.m. CT
Venue: Vaught Hemingway Stadium - Oxford (Miss.)
TV Channel: ABC
Radio: Ole Miss Sports Radio Network
LSU Tigers Record: 4-0 (1-0 SEC)
Ole Miss Rebels Record: 4-0 (2-0 SEC)

Courtesy of Ole Miss Rebels Football.

The ESPN College GameDay Picks:

Desmond Howard: Ole Miss Rebels
Nick Saban: LSU Tigers
Pat McAfee: Ole Miss Rebels
Guest Picker: Ole Miss Rebels
Kirk Herbstreit: LSU Tigers

The College GameDay crew gives the Rebels edge with a 3-2 vote heading into Saturday afternoon's clash.

The SP+ Prediction: Rebels Win a Thriller

According to Bill Connelly's SP+ computer model, the Ole Miss Rebels have a 64 percent chance of walking out of Vaught Hemingay Stadium with a victory over the LSU Tigers.

The expert computer model is giving Ole Miss the edge with a final score prediction of 29-23 in the Week 5 matchup.

Courtesy of Ole Miss Rebels Football.

Lane Kiffin's Thoughts: Rebels Facing "Best" Version of LSU

“Really excited for this challenge. To play at home and for first place in the SEC and to play a top three team in the country in LSU is an awesome opportunity for us,” Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin said on Wednesday.

“So, got to continue to have a great week of preparation. These guys probably have the best roster, since we’ve been here, from top to bottom and we’re going to have to prepare and play really well.”

More Ole Miss News:

Ole Miss Football's Lane Kiffin Reacts to Oklahoma Sooners as Annual SEC Rival

No. 1 Running Back in America Set to Visit Ole Miss Football for LSU Tigers Matchup

Alabama Head Coach Betting Odds: Ole Miss Football's Lane Kiffin Listed as a Favorite

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