LSU stays alive in College Football Playoff race with blowout win over No 16 Mississippi State

For one more week, LSU remains alive in the College Football Playoff hunt.

Lane Kiffin's squad bounced back in a big way after its crushing overtime loss to Kentucky last week, beating No. 16 Mississippi State 31-0 on Saturday at Tiger Stadium. Mississippi State was without star quarterback Kamario Taylor due to a foot injury, and the Bulldogs sorely missed him.

Freshman Parker Puckett started in Taylor's stead and struggled, completing 16 of his 26 passes for 121 yards and one interception. Compounding matters for the freshman quarterback, No. 22 LSU jumped out to an early lead, leaving Puckett playing from behind the entire game.

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LSU head coach Lane Kiffin reacts during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Mississippi State in Baton Rouge, La., on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)

Mississippi State went three-and-out on its opening possession, and LSU promptly responded with an eight-play, 60-yard touchdown drive. LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt connected with wide receiver Eugene Wilson III for a 10-yard touchdown to put LSU up 7-0.

On Mississippi State's ensuing possession, Puckett threw an interception. LSU once again marched down the field, and Leavitt found Jackson Harris for a 27-yard touchdown to put LSU up 14-0 in the first quarter.

In the second quarter, Leavitt connected with Harris again for a 17-yard touchdown to put the Tigers up 21-0. It looked like Mississippi State was going to get on the board when its offense drove into the red zone on the following possession, but the Bulldogs went for it on fourth-and-goal from the LSU 6-yard line and failed to convert.

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LSU wide receiver Jackson Harris scores a touchdown against Mississippi State cornerback Jett Jefferson and safety Jardin Gilbert during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Baton Rouge, La., on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)

It was the first time Mississippi State had been shut out in the first half under Jeff Lebby.

LSU kept it coming in the third quarter, as they scored 10 points in the third quarter to go up 31-0 and effectively put the game away.

Leavitt was outstanding in the win, completing 31 of 38 passes for 289 yards with four touchdowns, while Harris had six catches for 85 yards and two touchdowns.

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LSU safety Ty Benefield celebrates after an interception against Mississippi State during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)

LSU improved to 5-2 with the win, and or Kiffin's squad to make the College Football Playoffs, LSU will not be able to lose another game this season. Saturday's victory was a good start to that.

LSU will look to keep it rolling when they play Auburn on the road next Saturday.

The Bulldogs dropped to 4-2 with the loss will look to bounce back when they play Oklahoma on Saturday.

Ryan Canfield is a digital production assistant for Fox News Digital.