Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin answers questions from the press after a college football game between Mississippi State and Ole Miss at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville, Miss., on Friday, Nov. 28, 2025. Ole Miss defeated Mississippi State 38-19 in the Egg Bowl.

The Lane Kiffin saga has mercifully come to a close.

After months of speculation about his coaching future, Kiffin agreed to a deal on Sunday to become the head coach at LSU. The Tigers are making him one of the nation's highest-paid coaches on a contract that averages $13 million per year.

LSU took a major swing last time it hired a coach, poaching Brian Kelly, the winningest coach in Notre Dame history. That didn't work out, but it didn't keep the Tigers from hitting for the fences once again as they hired the most coveted candidate in the carousel cycle.

While we don't know exactly what Kiffin's first schedule at LSU will look like in 2026, we do know the opponents he and the Tigers will be facing. Quite a few of those games will be absolutely dripping with narrative.

Here are the five most intriguing matchups on the 2026 slate for Kiffin and LSU.

LSU vs. Clemson (Sept. 5)

While the dates for the 2026 SEC conference matchups are yet to be announced, we do know that the Tigers will begin the 2026 season with a rematch against Clemson. After defeating the Tigers on the road last year, LSU welcomes them to its own Death Valley to kick off the Kiffin era.

It's been a disappointing season for Clemson, and it remains to be seen how high the expectations will be for coach Dabo Swinney's squad in 2026. Still, it should be a huge first test for Kiffin and this new LSU coaching staff.

LSU at Auburn

One of several matchups on the slate that features an opponent Kiffin has some history with, this one will certainly be interesting. Kiffin was close to becoming the Tigers' coach after the 2022 season, but he ultimately backed out of the deal to remain at Ole Miss.

Now, he'll travel to Jordan-Hare Stadium to face the team he had the opportunity to coach a few years ago. Auburn, meanwhile, will also be led by a new coach after hiring Alex Golesh from South Florida.

LSU vs. Alabama

This game is, admittedly, not as interesting as it would have been if Nick Saban were still coaching the Crimson Tide. Though Saban seems to be something of a mentor for Kiffin, the latter didn't leave the former's Alabama staff without some controversy.

Kiffin was the offensive coordinator for the Tide from 2014-16 before leaving for Florida Atlantic, and though he planned to finish out the CFP with Alabama, Saban ultimately fired him. Kiffin has had a few cracks at the Tide as a head coach, but he's yet to beat this program.

LSU at Ole Miss

The narrative around this one will need no stage-setting. This is sure to be the most emotionally charged Magnolia Bowl in quite a long time as Kiffin will make his return to Oxford to coach his former team. This is already a heated rivalry, and Kiffin's messy departure has certainly added fuel to the fire.

I'm sure his reception at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium will be lovely.

LSU at Tennessee

Auburn and Oxford aren't the only hostile environments Kiffin will be coaching in next season. Kiffin coached the Vols for just one season in 2009 before departing for the USC job, and it's safe to say the Rocky Top faithful have no love lost for their former coach.

The last time Kiffin coached in Knoxville, his team was on the receiving end of a rain of trash onto the Neyland Stadium field. It's safe to say he probably won't be warmly received this time, either.

Contact/Follow @College_Wire on X and @College_Wires on Threads. Like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of college sports news, notes, and opinions.

This article originally appeared on College Sports Wire: 5 most intriguing games on the 2026 schedule for Lane Kiffin, LSU

Reporting by Tyler Nettuno, College Sports Wire / College Sports Wire

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect