Self-promotion. That is the name of the game, right?
Whether we want to admit it or not, most of us are in that business. I do it. Jacob Davis does it. That one guy … What is his name? You know, the one who lives next door to all of us and likes to make statements but has no time to listen, he also does it.
And new LSU hero Lane Kiffin is all about it.
His personal brand is QB1 in his life’s playbook, and his attempts to gain more notoriety have many in the Bayou State wondering if they have gotten themselves into a creole circus.
Not that they are against the notoriety, because Tigers fans identify themselves through the success of the program, we again have a form of self-promotion.
The difference between Jacob, myself, and, possibly, your neighbor on ‘X’ Street versus Lane Kiffin is LSU’s head coach has either no forward thinking or no concern when it comes to who his promotion leaves in the wake.
This was evident when his “Imagine if we had pro players,” comment to Holly Rowe during halftime of the Clemson game flew out of his mouth and directly onto the amended complaint (legal document) of the SEC towards LSU.
Kiffin simply tried to place him and his wit into the spotlight without an abstract thought as to how that might impact everyone and everything involved.
In the end, LSU chose to not add NFL rejects Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris to their 105-player roster.
Oddly enough, I am not certain if I feel more sorry for those two guys for getting their hopes up or for cornerback Aidan Anding and defensive end Gabriel Reliford for being originally omitted from the squad and then being added back as an afterthought.
Regardless, this situation between LSU and the SEC appears to be over for now. Wright and Harris, on the other hand, have joined a lawsuit with 42 athletes seeking legal options to restore their NCAA eligibily.
Imagine being the Louisiana judge who ruled in favor of the two players being rostered to take the field for the Tigers only to have them waived by the very school said judge was trying to benefit.
On a final note, if you think about it, LSU could have had a goldmine in NIL if they had been able to coin the phrase, “We must PRO-tect this house!”
All 16 SEC teams won their 2026 season openers leaving the conference undefeated. Week 2 will ensure at least one member has a mark in the ‘L’ column, but could there be more?
Let’s take a peek.
(23) Missouri at Kansas – The Jayhawks may come jazzed to play their old rivals. I think they will hang in throughout the first half and maybe even through a majority of the third, but Mizzou will pull away. Tigers by 20.
Arizona State at (10) Texas A&M – This game actually has me more excited than my game of the week. Kyle Field will host the Sun Devils, and, as much as I dislike the 12th Man, the scream queens (or whatever they are called) will make it very difficult for Arizona State. In fact, they give the more talented Aggies team an extra 7-points. A&M by17.
(11) Oklahoma at Michigan – The Wolverines are 0-1 after a loss to Western Michigan… Wait, let’s go to the replay. Correction, Michigan is 1-0. You can add an extra 100-seconds at the end of this game, and it will not save Michigan. The Sooners are simply the far better team from the far better conference. I am going bold here, folks. OU by 24.
Western Kentucky at (2) Georgia – The SEC may have the No. 1 ranked team come Monday after they dismantle the Big Red and Texas handles its business. In fact, we may even have No. 1 and No. 2. Bulldogs by 48.
(12) Alabama at Kentucky – The first conference match-up of 2026 may look like SEC on SEC violence. Ask anyone who knows me; I have been wrong before, but I think this one is over by the 4th quarter. Crimson Tide by 30.
Mississippi State at Minnesota – My doctor told me to stop drinking pop. I asked her if I could have a mini-soda. She said not this week. Based on that, Bulldogs by 16.
Delaware at Vanderbilt – The Commodores would win this one on the road as well. Vandy by 18.
Good Grief Game
Campbell at Florida – Who? The Gators are going to beat the chicken noodle soup out of them. Florida by 48.
Towson at South Carolina – The only thing I know about Towson is around half the people in Fort Smith will pronounce it “Townzen.” Gamecocks by 42.
(18) Tennessee at Georgia Tech – The Yellowjackets having this game at home will keep it close, at least partway into the 4th. The Vols are only a 7-point favorite, and I think that is a little generous towards Georgia Tech but not much. Tennessee by 10.
Louisiana Tech at (8) LSU – Short ride home for the losers of this game. Tigers by 31.
Pete’s SEC Game of the Week
(1) Ohio State at (4) Texas – Early season playoff indications will be happening at DKR in Austin. I do feel the Buckeyes are better on both sides of the ball than the Longhorns. I think Texas is good enough to keep it close throughout and will find a lucky break to either grab or hold a late lead. Not to mention, Ohio State may have a hard time matching up against Arch Manning and the powerful Texas offense this early in the season with both only having a cupcake under their belt. If this contest were in Ohio Stadium (which is lazy naming by the way), I might feel differently.
I honestly cannot think of any two more cocky programs and fanbases in college football history. There is not even a close third. Only one group of fans will have bragging rights on Saturday evening, and the Buckeyes will see the UT Tower glowing in burnt orange as they fly out. Longhorns by 10.
Southern Miss at Auburn – The Eagles (not the “War” ones) have a history of playing strong, especially in the early parts of the season. I do not think they have that golden of a touch, though. The Tigers are too talented and seem to be well-coached. Tigers by 31.
Charlotte at (9) Ole Miss – Oh, please give me some more cupcakes next week. These are too easy. Rebels by 44.
Arkansas at (20) Utah – If you can stay up late enough, this might turn out to be a great game to watch. Maybe. I will break it down in my other piece.
Please check out all the write-ups for Arkansas’s game this weekend against Utah, right here on HitThatLine.com.
Outside of Arkansas having a tough slate, I am looking to fast-forward to some good conference games.
Go HOGS!!!
