The real reason Morgan Freeman is picking Ole Miss to beat LSU

Morgan Freeman made his choice clear on Saturday morning: he’s backing Ole Miss to beat LSU.

The legendary actor appeared on ESPN’s College GameDay as the celebrity guest picker ahead of one of the most anticipated games of the college football season.

No. 8 Ole Miss and No. 7 LSU entered the showdown undefeated at 2-0, while the matchup carried an additional storyline because LSU head coach Lane Kiffin was returning to Oxford for the first time since leaving the Rebels.

However, there was little mystery surrounding which side Freeman would support.

The Oscar-winning actor wore an Ole Miss hat during the broadcast before eventually making his selection. After Nick Saban picked LSU, Freeman acknowledged the former Alabama coach before revealing his own choice.

“In spite of my belief in your every thought. Ole Miss!” Freeman said, prompting a huge reaction from the crowd in Oxford.

While Freeman didn’t offer an extensive football analysis explaining why he thought the Rebels would win, the reason behind his selection is fairly straightforward given his deep ties to Mississippi.

Freeman's Ole Miss ties explain the pick

Freeman was born in Memphis, Tennessee, but was raised in Mississippi and has maintained a close connection to the state throughout his life. He’s also a familiar face around Ole Miss athletics, particularly at Rebels basketball games, where he has frequently been seen sitting courtside.

His relationship with the university goes beyond simply being a fan. In 2025, the Ole Miss Alumni Association selected Freeman for its Honorary Alumni Award, recognizing his longstanding commitment and support for the university. Ole Miss has also previously honored him with an honorary degree.

Freeman has even spoken publicly about his affection for Ole Miss football and basketball. Ahead of his GameDay appearance, he explained that his connection to the school was one of the reasons he agreed to take part in the show.

That makes his decision to pick the Rebels far less surprising.

There’s also the Kiffin factor. Kiffin coached Ole Miss from 2020 through 2025 before leaving for LSU, turning Saturday’s game into an especially emotional occasion for Rebels fans.

The atmosphere in Oxford is expected to be intense, with Kiffin acknowledging that LSU had prepared its players for heckling and the emotional pressure surrounding his return.

The matchup itself was already significant, with both teams ranked inside the top 10. It also marked the first time since 1962 that Ole Miss and LSU met while both ranked in the top 10.

While Freeman’s famous voice may have made the pick sound particularly authoritative, his reasoning appears rooted more in loyalty than analytics.