UNDATED (AP) — LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt has been upgraded to questionable on the Southeastern Conference injury report after being listed as “doubtful” for Saturday’s game at Mississippi earlier in the week. The change increases the probability that Leavitt will be under center when No. 7 LSU visits No. 8 Mississippi on Saturday night in a game that is the focus of the college football world because of Tigers coach Lane Kiffin’s return to the place where he coached the previous six seasons. Leavitt’s initial listing came four days after a 45-14 victory over Louisiana Tech, from which the dual-threat Arizona State transfer ran for three touchdowns and threw for another score without an apparent injury.
UNDATED (AP) — Lane Kiffin’s eagerly awaited return to Mississippi for No. 7 LSU’s match-up with the No. 8 Ole Miss squad Kiffin spurned last year finally arrives on Saturday. The game has produced ample plotlines and intrigue, from a mysterious injury report to ramped up security and suspiciously timed legal activity. LSU has listed quarterback Sam Leavitt as questionable after he finished last week's game with no apparent injury. Legal papers were served this week to LSU sack leader Princewill Umanmielen in a $550,000 lawsuit filed by Ole Miss. And authorities expect 100,000 people or more in Oxford, Mississippi, this weekend. That's all on top of the rivalry on the field, featuring two potent offenses.
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas coach Steve Sarkisian says he should have “better” handled his postgame interview with ESPN reporter Holly Rowe after the win over Ohio State. He acknowledged the testy exchange led to the creation of fake videos and an apology from star quarterback Arch Manning. Manning joked publicly about an AI-generated video that showed Sarkisian slapping Rowe during the interview. Manning apologized the next day for his remarks and to Rowe specifically. Rowe posted on social media that she accepted Manning’s apology.
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) — No. 2 Georgia has scored 110 points in two games to open the season. Arkansas, the Bulldogs’ host on Saturday, haven’t beaten a fellow Southeastern Conference team since October 2024 and gave up 42 points last week against No. 20 Utah. The last time Georgia visited Fayetteville, Stetson Bennett IV rallied the Bulldogs from a two-point halftime deficit to a 27-point win. Georgia won back-to-back titles shortly thereafter. Arkansas is coming off its third two-victory season since 2018.
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The excitement around Texas rising to No. 1 after beating Ohio State had barely reached its peak before landing with a thud barely 48 hours later. Arch Manning’s joking comments at a news conference about a fake video of coach Steve Sarkisian slapping ESPN reporter Holly Rowe erupted in controversy. Manning apologized the next day and Rowe graciously accepted. The rare public relations blunder by one of the most prominent players in the country could stick with him for a while. But now he can try to turn the conversation back to football when Texas hosts UTSA in the Longhorns’ final nonconference game Saturday night.
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — No. 10 Alabama hosts Florida State a year after the Seminoles’ 31-17 victory sent the programs in opposite directions. The Crimson Tide recovered to reach the College Football Playoff while Florida State stumbled following a 3-0 start and missed a bowl. Alabama enters the rematch 2-0 after a comeback victory at Kentucky behind quarterback Keelon Russell. The Seminoles are 1-1 and coming off an open date with former Auburn quarterback Ashton Daniels preparing for another shot at the Crimson Tide.
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas defensive assistant coach Johnny Nansen was arrested on a misdemeanor driving while intoxicated charge in the latest distraction for the No. 1 Longhorns. Austin police said Nansen was arrested Wednesday night after officers responded to a three-vehicle wreck about 9 p.m. Police said Nansen was one of the drivers and showed “multiple clues of impairment” in standard field sobriety tests. Police did not immediately say if Nansen submitted to a breath test. Nansen is the inside linebackers coach and co-defensive coordinator. He has been on the Texas staff since 2024.
NEW YORK (AP) — The NFL has sent a memo to each of its teams saying Zxavian Harris and Dae’Quan Wright are not eligible to join any NFL teams this season after they attempted to return to college and play for LSU. Harris and Wright both played for Mississippi during its College Football Playoff semifinal run last season and had tryouts in the NFL this summer after going undrafted. They then tried joining former Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin at LSU and sued for the right to regain their college eligibility. LSU left both players off its roster as it opened its season.
