ESPN confirms LSU-Ole Miss as College Gameday's week three destination amid speculation

Trey Wallace explains why Lane Kiffin has such lofty expectations put on him for his first year of coaching at LSU.

In just a little over a week, college football will return to campuses and TV screens across the country.

In a sport littered with traditions, perhaps one of the most beloved is the ESPN original program College Gameday, which will return for its 40th season this fall.

Pat McAfee hugs Lee Corso as he arrives on set for College GameDay at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, on Aug. 30, 2025. (Getty Images)

While many fans have been speculating where the first few weeks of the season will take the Gameday crew, the network just confirmed the program will make its way to Oxford for what is sure to be the most anticipated matchup of the season.

WHAT DOES A REALISTICALLY SUCCESSFUL FIRST YEAR LOOK LIKE FOR HEAD COACH LANE KIFFIN AT LSU?

For the uninitiated, Ole Miss and LSU have a longstanding rivalry that dates back to 1894, and the annual meeting even has its own name, "The Magnolia Bowl."

However, this year's version of the Magnolia Bowl has a little added spice to it, as former Rebels coach Lane Kiffin makes his return to Vaught Hemingway Stadium for the first time since spurning Ole Miss for neighboring LSU.

Anyone who followed the Kiffin Saga last fall knows how messy that divorce got towards the end, and Kiffin even did his part in stoking the flames well after changing addresses in late November of last year.

OLE MISS QB TRINIDAD CHAMBLISS PUBLICLY DISAGREES WITH LANE KIFFIN'S CLAIMS ABOUT RACISM IN OXFORD

Head football coach Lane Kiffin and Athletic Director Verge Ausberry of the LSU Tigers arrive at Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport in Baton Rouge, La., on Nov. 30, 2025. (University Images via Getty