Leonard Fournette is undoubtedly a game-changer.

Take his devastating hit on Ole Miss defensive back Deontay Anderson with LSU trailing the Rebels 10-7 at the end of the first quarter. The Tigers nearly doubled the Rebels’ yardage output from that point on and claimed a 38-21 win.

“When he ran over that dude — oh my God. That brought a different level of physicality to our team, to our sideline,” LSU interim coach Ed Orgeron told Fox Sports. “That brought it to the entire stadium. It just erupted with energy, and you could see it kinda jolt the other sideline too. It did send a message.”

But could a healthy Fournette be a season-changer too?

His record-breaking performance against Ole Miss only amplified the newfound energy around the program since Oregon took over in the wake of Les Miles’ firing Sept. 25. After missing three games with a bone bruise, Fournette has injected himself back into the Heisman race and LSU back into national relevance.

The Tigers’ next opponent, No. 1 Alabama, will determine if they remain that way. The Crimson Tide shut down Fournette and ended his Heisman campaign last season, but No. 19 LSU surely has tons of confidence after seeing its star running back return to old form.

LSU and Alabama will meet at 8 p.m. ET on Nov. 5 in Tiger Stadium, and Fournette’s Heisman chances and the Tigers’ season will once again hinge on the heated SEC West rivalry game.