LSU’s playoff push faces road test after shutout victory

By Derek Payne
Contributing Writer, The Weekly Press

BATON ROUGE, La. — LSU restored some momentum with a 31-0 victory over Mississippi State on Oct. 17. Keeping it will require winning away from Tiger Stadium.

The Tigers improved to 5-2 overall and 2-2 in Southeastern Conference play, setting up an Oct. 24 trip to Auburn with little room for another setback in their pursuit of a College Football Playoff berth.

Quarterback Sam Leavitt supplied an encouraging performance against the Bulldogs, completing 31 of 38 passes for 289 yards and four touchdowns without an interception. Jackson Harris caught two touchdown passes, while Eugene Wilson III and Malik Elzy each added one.

Dilin Jones contributed in both phases of the offense, rushing for 84 yards and catching eight passes for 58 more. Defensively, TJ Dottery recorded 12 tackles, and Davhon Keys added 10. LSU built a 21-0 halftime advantage and added 10 points in the third quarter.

The challenge now shifts to sustaining that execution through a demanding finish.

LSU has lost eight consecutive SEC road games since winning at Arkansas in October 2024. Auburn enters the matchup after upsetting top-ranked Georgia 27-24 in Athens.

Injuries also complicate coach Lane Kiffin’s task. Leavitt has been managing a hamstring injury, while Harris and defensive standout Princewill Umanmielen left the Mississippi State game with injuries, according to Tiger Rag. Mississippi State played without starting quarterback Kamario Taylor and running back Fluff Bothwell.

After Auburn, LSU has an open date before hosting Alabama and Texas, then closes with trips to Tennessee and Arkansas. Winning all five remaining games would produce a 10-2 regular season and strengthen its playoff argument, though selection would remain uncertain.

For LSU, the immediate opportunity is clear: turn a convincing home victory into the start of a sustained run.