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Analyst Skips Game Over Safety Fears
19 Sep
Summary
- Analyst won't attend LSU-Ole Miss game due to safety concerns.
- Heightened security and online chatter cited as reasons.
- Rivalry intensified after coach Lane Kiffin's departure from Ole Miss.
A highly anticipated 2026 college football matchup between LSU and Ole Miss will not feature prominent sports analyst Stephen A. Smith, who cited safety concerns as his reason for not attending. Smith revealed on Mad Dog Sports Radio that discussions of "heightened security" and "bulletproof vests," coupled with online threats, deterred him from traveling to the game in Oxford.
Smith expressed his hope for everyone's safety, urging fans to express their discontent through non-violent means such as booing or heckling Lane Kiffin and the Ole Miss team. He emphasized his desire to avoid any potential "mayhem" at the stadium, preferring to watch from home rather than take chances attending alone.
The intensity of the LSU-Ole Miss rivalry has escalated, particularly since Lane Kiffin's controversial departure from Ole Miss to coach LSU. This move has reportedly fostered significant animosity among Ole Miss fans over the past year, following the program's national semifinal run under new head coach Pete Golding. Whether this anger will manifest into further incidents during Saturday's game remains to be seen.
