The modern sports fan is used to the hype, hyperbole and arguments that fill the days between games. A multibillion-dollar media industry is built upon it, in fact. What on earth would we do without sports opinions, right?

So maybe it’s no surprise that Week 3 arrives with a truckload of off-field storylines. Some are unfortunate but important, so we’ll start there before turning to what should be a terrific handful of games. Let’s dive in!

NO. 8 LSU'S VISIT TO NO. 9 OLE MISS HAS ARRIVED

Then-Mississippi head coach Lane Kiffin waves to fans during the Walk of Champions through the Grove before an NCAA college football game in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Thomas Graning)

LSU’s trip to Ole Miss was always going to be spicy once coach Lane Kiffin left Oxford ahead of a playoff game – he wanted to stay, Ole Miss said no thanks – for a $91 million contract at LSU.

Offseason comments about whether Black players could be recruited to Ole Miss, lawsuits alleging transfers owed big money for reneging on their NIL deals and, well, LSU’s now-abandoned defiance of rules against rostering former pro players have only brightened the spotlight for this one. LSU threw another wrinkle into the mix by saying QB Sam Leavitt was “doubtful” to play, sparking immediate fan accusations of gamesmanship.

Kiffin himself acknowledged there could be “hatred” in the stands on Saturday. One of his daughters still attends Ole Miss and used social media to call out trolls for taking things too far. Oxford police say they will have plenty of officers on hand.

So, breathe for a moment and remember there should be a terrific game amid all this angst. LSU is a slight favorite but Ole Miss has two Heisman Trophy contenders in the backfield in QB Trinidad Chambliss and RB Kewan Lacy.

Let’s play already!