Lane Kiffin and the LSU Tigers head to Lexington this weekend for a showdown with Will Stein’s Kentucky Wildcats.

LSU has bounced back from a deflating loss at Ole Miss by throttling Texas A&M and McNeese State in Baton Rouge. Meanwhile Kentucky comes in after clipping South Carolina 35-34 in overtime last weekend in Columbia.

Which of these 4-1 teams will stay in the thick of the SEC and playoff hunt midway through the season? Our college football writers weighed in with their score predictions.

Kentucky 25, LSU 24

The LSU Tigers have been good this season, but we know the history of Lane Kiffin. He has a tendency to lose a game he shouldn’t, and it seems to happen at least once per season.

This is the kind of game that fits the bill. Will Stein has done a fantastic job with the WIldcats. He’s got them playing hard and they are very well coached. This has trap game written all over it.

Tyler Forness, A to Z Sports Florida

LSU 32, Kentucky 31

This is another game where LSU falls behind early, just as they did in Oxford, as Kentucky rides an electric early energy from a wild Kroger Field crowd to an early double-digit lead.

But the Tigers’ talent on both sides of the ball eventually recovers from an early gut punch and storms back. The Tigers’ defense starts to get home and forces a mistake from Kenny Minchey that swings the tide. Sam Leavitt delivers a last second score to break Kentucky hearts and give LSU a win that could look quite good at the end of the season.

Craig Smith, A to Z Sports Tennessee

LSU 33, Kentucky 21

This is a sneaky good SEC matchup to watch this week between LSU and Kentucky. LSU can’t go into this game underestimating this 4-1 Wildcats team, or they’ll be leaving Lexington 4-2 with a tough road ahead to making the College Football Playoff.

The key for LSU will be limiting mistakes on offense because I believe their top-three defense in yards allowed per game will get the job done against Will Stein’s offense. On the flip side, the Wildcats are going to have their hands full defensively with what is a balanced LSU offense.

Quarterback Sam Leavitt and running back Dilin Jones will both have big days on offense for LSU, and the Tigers will show up on the road with a double-digit win in SEC play.

Brandon Little, A to Z Sports Ohio State

Kentucky 31, LSU 28

Kentucky continues its surprising run under head coach Will Stein, with quarterback Kenny Minchey keeping his hot streak alive against LSU. Minchey makes enough big-time throws to keep the Wildcats within striking distance throughout the afternoon, but it’s his ability to make plays with his legs that ultimately becomes the difference. A few key scrambles extend drives and keep Kentucky’s offense on the field when it matters most.

LSU has plenty of offensive success of its own, with Sam Leavitt making several impressive plays and keeping the Tigers in a back-and-forth battle. But late in the game, Leavitt makes one mistake too many, throwing a backbreaking interception that gives Kentucky the opportunity it needs. The Wildcats capitalize and hang on for a thrilling 31-28 victory.

Ryan Roberts, A to Z Sports Notre Dame

LSU 30, Kentucky 20

Kentucky has quietly been one of the better stories in college football this season as first-year head coach Will Stein has proven himself right thus far. The Wildcats gave Alabama hell in the first half, beat the Texas A&M Aggies, and just knocked off South Carolina in overtime. They may not have the firepower to keep up with LSU, but I wouldn’t be shocked if they kept it close.

Part of that is because LSU has been banged up to start the season, with multiple pass catchers and even QB Sam Leavitt dealing with injuries. In all, I don’t think the Tigers get put on upset alert, but I expect the Wildcats to put forth a good effort.

Rob Gregson, A to Z Sports Alabama