The Brian Kelly era at LSU may not have ended as fans hoped, but the arrival of Lane Kiffin has sparked a wave of excitement in Baton Rouge. Since their storied 2019 season, LSU hasn't seen the College Football Playoff, but Kiffin is on a mission to change that in his first year at the helm.
With a keen eye for talent, Kiffin has transformed LSU's roster. During the Early Signing Period, he brought in 14 new players and secured the top transfer portal class in the nation.
Notable additions include quarterback Sam Leavitt, offensive tackle Jordan Seaton, and edge rusher Princewill Umanmielen. With such talent on board, Tiger fans are eagerly counting down to the season opener against Clemson on September 5.
The buzz around LSU Football is palpable, reflected in the record-setting ticket requests for the 2026 season. Athletic director Verge Ausberry shared with 104.5 ESPN Baton Rouge that approximately 44,000 people are on the waiting list for season tickets, a significant jump from the previous high of 17,000.
Ausberry credits this surge in demand to Kiffin's influence. "It’s Lane Kiffin," he said.
"It’s the team he recruited, the players he recruited, and the great home schedule we have. There’s a lot of excitement with LSU right now, not just from our fans but nationwide."
The 2026 home schedule is packed with enticing matchups. The season kicks off with Clemson visiting Death Valley on September 5, a team LSU narrowly defeated 17-10 last year.
Following that, LSU will host Louisiana Tech on September 12, Texas A&M on September 26, McNeese on October 3, and Mississippi State on October 17. November promises high-stakes games against Alabama and Texas on November 7 and 14, respectively.
Kiffin's arrival has injected new life into the LSU program, and the unprecedented ticket demand underscores the anticipation surrounding what he and his team might achieve. Tiger fans are ready for an electrifying season.