Paul Finebaum makes his opinion clear on Ole Miss' playoff fate ahead of massive clash against Brian Kelly's LSU

ESPN analyst Paul Finebaum shared his thoughts on Ole Miss' playoff chances ahead of the big showdown against LSU on Saturday. The No. 9 Rebels are set for a high-stakes SEC clash in Baton Rouge against the No. 13 Tigers, and Finebaum didn’t hold back on the significance of this game.

This week, speaking on "The Paul Finebaum Show," Finebaum said that a loss could dramatically hurt the Rebels’ postseason dreams.

"There are a number of schools who are on the brink right now," Finebaum said [H/t Athlon Sports]. "I'll include Alabama, Tennessee and Ole Miss. This weekend will certainly be a key factor for Ole Miss. If Ole Miss loses this game Saturday at Tiger Stadium, their chances of getting to the CFP are diminished dramatically."

Currently, Georgia is ranked No. 5 in the AP Top 25 College Football Poll, with upcoming games against top teams like No. 1 Texas, No. 9 Ole Miss, and No. 8 Tennessee. The Bulldogs already boast a strong win over No. 10 Clemson and are given a 75.2% chance to make the playoffs, according to ESPN.

LSU's showdown with Ole Miss this Saturday is packed with playoff drama. The winner stays right in the hunt, while the loser will start to feel the heat. Ole Miss heads into Tiger Stadium with momentum from last week's road win over South Carolina. However, their recent upset loss at home to Kentucky could still sting, especially if they miss out on the CFP.

This weekend could be make-or-break for both Ole Miss and Georgia as they aim to solidify their playoff chances.

The Ole Miss Rebels’ last night win in Baton Rouge was in 2001

The Rebels (5-1, 1-1 SEC) and the Tigers (4-1, 1-0) are set to face off in Baton Rouge at Tiger Stadium. With major matchups like Ohio State-Oregon, Texas-Oklahoma, and Ole Miss-LSU, Week 7 is bound to shake up the national rankings and clarify the conference title races.

Mississippi Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin - Source: Imagn

Ole Miss heads to LSU after bouncing back from its first loss with a strong win over South Carolina. This win kept the Rebels' big goals intact as they gear up for a crucial showdown in Baton Rouge. Beating LSU could launch Ole Miss toward the top of the SEC standings, especially with a favorable schedule ahead, except for a challenging home game against Georgia.

However, history shows that winning in Baton Rouge isn't easy. The Rebels hold a 24-43-1 record (.360) all-time there. Interestingly, their chances improve under the lights, with a night game record of 15-23-1 (.397). According to Ole Miss Sports, the Rebels’ last night win in Baton Rouge was in 2001, making this matchup a real test.