By Hunt Palmer
Ask a dozen college football fans about the best atmosphere in the sport.
More than a handful will say Saturday Night in Death Valley. Over time, LSU has developed that reputation. It’s the tailgating. It’s the Golden Band From Tigerland. It’s Callin’ Baton Rouge.
The white jerseys, painted five yard lines and h-style goalposts.
Bourbon.
Those who revere Tiger Stadium from afar have never been to the North Texas game in early September or stayed until the clock hits zeros in a four-touchdown win over a bad Arkansas team.
I have. It’s not that great.
Even two weeks ago when the September sun scorched Baton Rouge, the atmosphere on campus and in the stadium was unremarkable for LSU and UCLA.
The truth is that Tiger Stadium is only truly great when all the ingredients arrive. LSU need to be good. So does the opponent. The weather must cooperate. Nightfall is preferable.
Like a perfect gumbo, one missing element hurts the product.
Saturday has it all.
The Coaches Poll ranked LSU and Ole Miss in the Top 10 on Sunday, despite each suffering a stinging early loss. Kickoff temperature should settle into the lower 80s, and it will be Saturday Night in Death Valley.
The visitors from Oxford are in the midst of their most anticipate football season in two decades. Lane Kiffin’s plan to flood the transfer portal with NIL dollars worked. The Rebels imported NFL talent on both sides of the football. More importantly, the playoff expanded. No longer are Georgia and Alabama standing guard of the SEC’s route to national championship contention. There’s room for more, and the fans in Mississippi believe their Rebels are a contender.
Is Ole Miss capable? We find out Saturday.
A second loss cripples the Rebs’ chances at making the dance. Early losses by Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee likely improve Ole Miss’s odds, but two in the loss column in early October puts a season on the brink.
That fuels Death Valley’s fire.
LSU’s chances do, too. Georgia and Texas aren’t on the schedule. Neither is Tennessee. Alabama looked human in Nashville. That’s being kind.
A win on Saturday makes LSU relevant in this new era of college football. A loss? Well, that creates an entirely new set of questions.
That’s what makes this game so big. And it’s why the expanded playoff is such a good thing.
LSU fans have seen enough championship level football over the last 21 yards to know this Tiger defense doesn’t meet that standard. However, when paired with a high-powered offense and a favorable schedule, 10-2 feels attainable.
That’s a mark that used to earn you a trip to the Cotton Bowl so 18 guys could opt out of the game or transfer. Now it might mean a flight to Eugene, Ore., or Miami for a first-round game.
The tension will build all week.
Ole Miss mauled South Carolina on Saturday. LSU got the week off to improve and recover. That sets college football’s greatest stage.
Over 100,000 will flood campus beginning early Saturday morning. The pots will sizzle; the cans will crack. Nervous energy will permeate the parade ground and the quad. Those in red and blue will be told politely to “geaux to hell”.
All due respect to Nicholls, gameday is just different on weeks like this. Those on the outside may not know that, but we do.
ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt has a saying, “how good is your good?” As far as gameday atmosphere, LSU’s is as good as anyone’s. It’s just not every week.
Jayden Daniels’s run to a Heisman Trophy brought some energy down the stretch last season, but that doesn’t move the needle quite like team goals. Those are all still on the table entering this game. The last time that was a case for a Top 10 matchup, Alabama was in town in 2022.
Tiger fans have had this game circled since the season opening loss. It’s finally arrived.
Cue the Garth Brooks.
