Ole Miss Implements Strict Rules for LSU Fans Amidst Lane Kiffin's Return
University bans opposing team colors from student section and increases security presence for highly anticipated game.
Ole Miss has enacted stringent measures, including banning LSU's colors from the student section and increasing security, in anticipation of the highly anticipated college football game this Saturday. The No. 8 Ole Miss Rebels will host the No. 7 LSU Tigers in what marks Lane Kiffin's first game back in Mississippi since leaving the school for Baton Rouge.
Kiffin's departure from Ole Miss was controversial, as his discussions with LSU led to his exit before the team's College Football Playoff game. Saturday's contest is expected to be a highly charged matchup in the "Magnolia Bowl" rivalry.
Effective immediately, the university announced that any individual wearing opposing team gear or colors will be prohibited from entering the student section. A statement sent to students explicitly states that "anyone found to be wearing opposing team apparel or colors in the student section will be removed."
Makeshift fencing is also being erected around the visiting team bus arrival area at the stadium on game day. These actions follow comments from Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, who jested about the need for extraordinary precautions to protect Kiffin and the Tigers. Landry told ESPN's Mark Schlabach that he was considering sending Kiffin in on an F-16 and the team on a C-130, adding that "security is going to be really tight" and "we might need the National Guard out there to protect our team."
The Mississippi Department of Public Safety has also announced an "advanced law enforcement presence" in Oxford for the game. This will include the largest deployment of the Mississippi Highway Patrol ever for a college football event. MDPS commissioner Sean Tindell stated that the enhanced presence is intended to ensure safety for all attendees and participants during the significant influx of visitors to Oxford.
Tensions surrounding this game have been building for months. In April, an altercation involving punches occurred between Ole Miss students and an LSU fan during an Ole Miss-LSU baseball game.