Lane Kiffin's honeymoon in Baton Rouge just hit its first pothole. After a blistering 2-0 start, the LSU Tigers stumbled in Oxford, falling to Ole Miss in a game that had Kiffin's emotions running high. But the real story isn't the loss—it's the growing concern over quarterback Sam Leavitt's performance.
Leavitt, who transferred from Arizona State with high hopes of igniting Kiffin's offense, has been anything but explosive. Through three starts, he's managed 732 passing yards, three touchdowns, and five interceptions—a stat line that has fans and analysts alike raising eyebrows. His first-half showing against Ole Miss was particularly alarming: a mere 46 yards on 9-of-13 passing. While he showed some fight in the second half, his red-zone interception with the game on the line sealed LSU's fate.
Rodgers Sounds the Alarm
On Wednesday's episode of Get Up, ESPN analyst Jordan Rodgers didn't mince words. He suggested that if Leavitt continues his erratic play, LSU could be staring at a seven or eight-win season. "LSU might be a 7 or 8 win football team if Sam Leavitt continues to play backyard football," Rodgers said, implying that Kiffin should keep a short leash on his quarterback.
Rodgers' critique isn't just about the numbers—it's about the style. Leavitt's tendency to freelance, to improvise when structure breaks down, has led to costly mistakes. Against Ole Miss, he missed open receivers that could have resulted in three touchdowns, per Kiffin's own breakdown.
Kiffin's Defense
Kiffin, however, has publicly stood by his signal-caller. In a press conference this week, he explained the nuance behind those missed opportunities. "I broke that down to the team so they understand, because I think often players see social media or whatever, and I don't know what it says, but I bet it says this week," Kiffin said. "Okay, man, they showed the open receivers, you know, and Sam not hitting open receivers in the game—probably three different touchdowns—but then I break it down to them so they see. Okay, hey, wait, that seems easy. Just throw the ball to the open guy for a touchdown. But when you get impacted early in the game by the rush, they did a really good job."
It's a coach's way of saying: it's not as simple as it looks. The Ole Miss pass rush was relentless, and Leavitt was feeling the heat. But does that excuse the interceptions? Not entirely.
What's Next for LSU?
The question now is whether Kiffin will stick with Leavitt or turn to backup Landen Clark. Kiffin hasn't named a new starter, and it seems unlikely he'll make a change after just one loss. But the leash is getting shorter, and the pressure is mounting.
Leavitt has a golden opportunity to silence his critics this Saturday when LSU hosts Texas A&M. A strong performance could quiet the noise and reaffirm his status as the guy. A dud, though, could have fans and analysts alike calling for a change.
For now, Kiffin remains committed, but in the cutthroat world of college football, patience is a luxury few can afford. The spotlight on Leavitt has never been brighter, and how he responds will define not just his season, but potentially his tenure in Baton Rouge.
