No. 4 LSU visits No. 13 Ole Miss in pivotal SEC clash; Chambliss starts for Rebels as 4-0 teams meet

No. 4 LSU travels to Oxford on Saturday for a top-15 SEC clash with No. 13 Ole Miss at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Both teams enter Week 5 with 4-0 records, and the outcome could influence the SEC West landscape. Ole Miss is the slight betting favorite, though many sportsbooks describe the game as a near coin flip given the matchup of offenses that can strike quickly against defenses that have been sturdy through four games.

Ole Miss quarterback Austin Simmons began the season as the Rebels’ starter, but an injury sustained in a seven-point win over Kentucky opened the door for Trinidad Chambliss to take over. Chambliss has been a spark since stepping in, completing 67.7% of his passes for 719 yards and four touchdowns while adding two rushing scores and 195 yards on the ground. With Simmons sidelined, Chambliss will start again on Saturday as Ole Miss tries to move the ball quickly with big-play potential.

LSU counters with Garrett Nussmeier, who remains a Heisman hopeful and could be a top-five pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Nussmeier is known for controlling the pace and keeping the game on LSU’s terms, rather than pushing all-out downfield. The Tigers want to dictate tempo, force Ole Miss to sustain multiple high-effort drives, and keep the Rebels' offense from finding rhythm early. If LSU can establish its pace, the Tigers can stretch Ole Miss’s defense and test the Rebels on long, methodical possessions.

Ole Miss has loaded weapons on offense and a defense that has started the season strong, giving the Rebels a platform to play from in a ball-control versus quick-strike dynamic. Chambliss’ ability to extend plays and hit chunk plays off play-action will be a focal point for Ole Miss, while LSU’s defense will look to limit big gains and pressure the quarterback to force mistakes. The matchup also features a tactical chess game: Ole Miss will aim to push tempo when Chambliss is on the field and threaten LSU with perimeter plays, while LSU will try to slow the pace, force three-and-outs, and keep Nussmeier from getting comfortable behind center.

Saturday’s game stands as a litmus test for both teams’ ceilings in a crowded SEC West. The line reflects the uncertainty: Ole Miss is the slight favorite, listed around -120 at FanDuel, underscoring how closely the matchup is viewed by bettors and analysts alike. The result could set the tone for the Rebels’ aspirations to remain unbeaten and for LSU to prove it can win games by dictating tempo and limiting explosive plays from Ole Miss. As kickoff approaches, both programs emphasize discipline, timing, and execution in a crucible that could define their season’s trajectory.

The venue, the stakes, and the breadcrumb trail of early-season performances all point to a competitive, well-contested afternoon. If Chambliss can translate his midrange efficiency into sustained drives and if LSU can deny Ole Miss the quick-strike opportunities, this game could tilt in favor of the Tigers. Conversely, a fast start by the Rebels and a few defensive stops could tilt momentum toward Ole Miss, turning a coin-flip affair into a momentum swing that reshapes the SEC West picture for weeks to come.