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Bad Blood Brews: Tigers-Rebels Showdown Ignites
17 Sep
Summary
- Linebacker TJ Dottery returns to face his former team, Ole Miss.
- Dottery previously played three seasons for the Rebels, recording 176 tackles.
- This top-10 matchup is the first conference game for the Tigers this season.
The intense rivalry between the LSU Tigers and Ole Miss Rebels is palpable as they head into their week three matchup. This top-10 showdown features significant history, most notably the return of head coach Lane Kiffin to his former program. Kiffin brought key players with him, including linebacker TJ Dottery, who spent three seasons with Ole Miss.
During his tenure with the Rebels, Dottery was a defensive standout, amassing 176 tackles in 27 starts. He is now a crucial part of the Tigers' defense, forming a potent linebacker duo with Whit Weeks. Through two games in 2026, Dottery has already matched much of his previous season's production.
This game transcends a typical conference opener; it's charged with bad blood. For Dottery, it presents an opportunity to prove his decision to follow Kiffin was correct. With familiarity of the stadium and game-day atmosphere, he is poised for a significant performance.
