By Jordan SiglerShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberLSU is getting set to travel to play No. 8 Oklahoma on Saturday to finish its regular season.
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With the Tigers entering the contest trying to play spoiler with a 7-4 record, the contest feels like an afterthought amid their national coaching search. LSU is vying with No. 7 Ole Miss and Florida to have Lane Kiffin coaching in 2026.
The Rebels are set to announce Kiffin's future on Saturday following their game against Mississippi State in the "Egg Bowl" on Friday. LSU appears willing to outbid Florida and Ole Miss for Kiffin.
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Amid the wild spectacle in the SEC, there is drama going on in Oxford with Kiffin. Reports have surfaced in recent days that players and coaches are unhappy with the situation Kiffin has caused.
While LSU might welcome those sorts of problems Kiffin brings to avoid being in the position of having a 7-4 record and a former head coach's buyout in the court system, the Tigers also have to prepare for the possibility Kiffin stays in Oxford or moves to Gainesville.
Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwtiz has been connected to the Tigers as a backup plan if the program cannot land Kiffin. However, LSU has a troubling development brewing as Drinkwitz appears close to signing a contract extension with Mizzou.
Per Frank Cusumano of KSDK, a new deal could be announced by the end of the week.
"I am told by people close to the situation that the Board of Curators and Coach Drinkwitz are getting very close to finalizing a deal. It could come by the end of the week," Cusumano posted on X.
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Missouri is set to finish the regular season by traveling to play Arkansas on Saturday. Drinkwitz, 42, is 45-28 overall and 25-24 in SEC play during his six seasons with the Tigers.
If Drinkwitz signs the extension with Mizzou, LSU would need to cast a wider net to find Brian Kelly's replacement. Tulane head coach Jon Sumrall appears headed to Auburn for 2026.
Kiffin remains the ultimate wild card.
For more on the NCAA, head to Newsweek Sports.
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