LSU may have to walk into Oxford without one of its most important offensive pieces.
Quarterback Sam Leavitt is listed as doubtful for Saturday night’s matchup with No. 8 Ole Miss, according to the latest SEC availability report.
That puts a major wrinkle into what is already shaping up as the weekend’s marquee game, with No. 7 LSU set to travel to face Lane Kiffin and the Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
Leavitt’s status matters even more because LSU has leaned on a strong start offensively through its first two games. But the Tigers are heading into their third game of the season with a real question mark under center, and they’ll have to prepare as if the Arizona State transfer won’t be available.
The injury report is not limited to Leavitt, either. LSU has 10 players listed, including linebacker Whit Weeks.
Leavitt’s most recent performance came against Louisiana Tech, where he had a rough afternoon despite LSU’s 45-14 win. He threw three interceptions in that game, one of the few blemishes in an otherwise comfortable victory.
If Leavitt can’t go, LSU will have to turn elsewhere at quarterback. Redshirt freshman Husan Longstreet is next in line to start for Kiffin and the Tigers.
Transfer Landen Clark, who came over from Elon, is another option. Clark has already played in both games this season, appearing in LSU’s wins over Clemson and Louisiana Tech.
Against Clemson in Week 1, he completed 72 passing yards and a touchdown.
The timing is not exactly gentle. LSU is moving into the toughest stretch of its early season, while Ole Miss comes in having already beaten ranked Louisville and Charlotte in its first two games. The Tigers also face ranked opponents in five of their final 10 regular-season games, making every win feel a little heavier from here on out as they try to strengthen their College Football Playoff case.
LSU and Ole Miss kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET Saturday on ABC.
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