Should LSU claw its way into the College Football Playoff after this nerve-wracking game, recall the night the No. 10 Tigers seized victory without ever holding the lead until the very last moment.

If this thrilling 29-26 overtime victory against No. 8 Ole Miss becomes a defining moment in Brian Kelly’s coaching regime, it’s essential to remember how his defense showed resilience and his quarterback persevered through challenging moments.

As the game concluded, the celebration erupted like it was a holiday, with fireworks lighting up the sky as fans rushed the field, oblivious to the fact that the Tigers were merely slight underdogs.

This stunning victory certainly called for a festivity.

“These kinds of moments are rare in life,” said LSU linebacker Whit Weeks. “It was exhilarating.”

This win could be a pivotal moment in Kelly’s significant third season.

Or it might just be a brief spark of joy before the season takes a downturn in the latter half.

I’m uncertain which scenario will unfold. Both seem possible.

LSU’s remaining six contests are against SEC rivals. Not a single game is out of reach for LSU (5-1), but they could also find themselves losing.

The Tigers could be positioned anywhere from the second-best to the seventh-best team in the SEC. I remain unconvinced there’s a significant difference.

“This league is very competitive,” said LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier. “Tonight felt like a major step for us.”

At least it is competitive after Texas.

LSU Football Moves Ahead of Ole Miss in Playoff Discussions

As for the Tigers’ rollercoaster performance, they’re still figuring things out, but so are plenty of other SEC teams. They are improving and showing resilience, with a capable quarterback, some talented receivers, and a defense that rose to the occasion against a top-10 team, so why shouldn’t they aim for the playoffs? Their chances are as good as many other one-loss teams.

They have a better shot at the playoffs than Ole Miss (5-2), that much is clear.

“We are for real,” Nussmeier emphasized afterward. “The Tigers are legitimate. I think we demonstrated that tonight. We had our struggles and made mistakes, but we figured out how to secure the victory.”

Kelly praised the team’s efforts – not because they were flawless, but due to the fact they remained close enough in the game to finally seize control as Ole Miss faltered. He commended a defense that managed six sacks and highlighted a quarterback who overcame two interceptions and multiple missed throws, ultimately tossing touchdown passes in clutch moments.

“This team is making progress,” Kelly remarked.

That’s a fair observation, similar to what could be said about Kelly’s 2022 squad, which began with a loss but later shocked Alabama and reached the SEC Championship Game.

LSU had defeated Alabama that year with a two-point conversion, but in this game against a rival, Kelly decided against risking a win on a single play.

“I felt our guys fought too hard to get back into this game,” Kelly stated, “and I didn’t want this to come down to a two-point conversion.”

Thus, after Nussmeier connected on a fourth-down touchdown pass to Aaron Anderson, Kelly opted for an extra point to equalize and push the game into overtime.

Weeks was among those pleased with Kelly’s choice to avoid a risky play.

“I was thrilled to continue playing,” Weeks said. “With the next game not until next Saturday, I relish playing more football.”

LSU’s defense validated Kelly’s choice by stepping up during overtime.

With the crowd roaring louder than ever, Ole Miss’s offense struggled during their overtime drive, eventually needing a 57-yard field goal just to put points on the board.

Mission accomplished for LSU’s defense. And then …

“It’s time to shine,” declared LSU wide receiver Kyren Lacy.

Winning time had arrived.

Nussmeier connected with Lacy on the very first play of LSU’s overtime possession.

Comeback achieved.

Garrett Nussmeier Steps Up for LSU in Critical Moments

The longer the Tigers played, the sharper they became.

The game was scoreless after the first quarter, but LSU was fortunate not to fall behind 17-0 as Ole Miss’ Tre Harris dropped what should have been an 81-yard touchdown pass, along with two red-zone failures in the first quarter that yielded no points.

“We controlled much of the game,” commented Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin. “…They’re a good team, and so are we, but we should have clinched that victory.”

This must be infuriating for Kiffin, given that the Rebels invested significantly in enhancing their defense through transfers, and while there has been improvement, this marks the second week they’ve failed to secure crucial stops when it mattered most.

Just two weeks earlier, Kentucky converted a fourth-and-7 that kept their drive alive and ultimately led to a game-winning touchdown.

Nussmeier had to complete two fourth-down passes just to tie this game, and then he finished it off with a perfect 25-yard throw to Lacy.

“We’re a determined group. We will fight till the last moment,” Weeks expressed. “Throughout the match, we believed we wouldn’t let this game slip away.”

If Weeks held onto that belief while Ole Miss dominated a significant portion of the game, then he deserves recognition for his conviction. The Tigers’ ability to bounce back also deserves applause.

This was the turning point of Kelly’s coaching era. Or maybe it wasn’t.

Nevertheless, it was undoubtedly a night when LSU achieved an astonishing comeback, kept their playoff dreams alive, and severely impacted Ole Miss’ own ambitions.