CBS Sports is giving LSU a playoff path in Lane Kiffin’s first season that would have Tiger fans buzzing from the jump.
In the network’s 2026 College Football Playoff projections released Tuesday, LSU lands at No. 11 after a 10-2 regular season, then knocks off No. 6 Texas Tech on the road in the first round before the run ends against Ohio State in the quarterfinals.
Here’s how CBS Sports sees the field shaking out:
- Notre Dame
- Georgia (SEC champion)
- Ohio State (Big Ten champion)
- Miami (ACC champion)
- Texas
- Texas Tech (Big 12 champion)
- Indiana
- Ole Miss
- Oregon
10 Texas A&M
- LSU
- Boise State (Top G6 team)
First-round byes: Notre Dame, Ohio State, Georgia, Miami
CBS Sports’ breakdown on LSU points to a quick payoff in Kiffin’s debut year. The projection says he has “a good shot to finish 10-2 in his first year and sneak into the playoff,” and adds that “With one of the sport’s most expensive rosters, Kiffin delivers an early return on investment with a road playoff win. Winner: LSU”
That win, according to the prediction, would set up a quarterfinal matchup with No. 3 Ohio State.
CBS Sports says LSU fans would be “dreaming big” after Kiffin gets them into the bracket and past the first round, but the Buckeyes would be too much in the next round. “The fairytale would end against a talented Buckeyes team that is more battle-tested than the version we saw in 2025.
Winner: Ohio State”
CBS Sports also projected the national championship game as No. 5 Texas against No.
3 Ohio State. The prediction calls it a rematch of a Week 2 game and says Texas would win at home in that meeting, but in Las Vegas the Buckeyes would come out on top.
The outlet cited Ohio State’s coaching staff and roster, saying, “With Arthur Smith running the offense and Matt Patricia manning the defense, I trust Ohio State's coaches and talent more in a big game. The Buckeyes are your 2026 season champions.
Winner: Ohio State”
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Trinidad Chambliss arrived at Ole Miss as one of the more interesting quarterback additions in the SEC, a spring 2025 transfer from Division II Ferris State who quickly turned himself into a real storyline. His rise has already drawn plenty of attention, but not everyone around the league views it as simply a product of Lane Kiffins system. One anonymous SEC coach pointed to Chamblisss natural talent and playmaking ability as the bigger reason for his success, a reminder that the quarterback himself has done more than just benefit from the right play sheet.
That angle matters even more now that Kiffin has left Ole Miss for LSU, where the Rebels new offensive playcaller will be John David Baker. For LSU, the move created an unexpected subplot to keep an eye on, because Chambliss is no longer tied to the coach many people associated with his rise. The question hanging over the next chapter is whether his production travels with him when the architect of the old offense is gone and the new one takes over. [Read more 🡒]
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The more immediate concern is at receiver, where Winston Watkins Jr. was absent again for a second straight practice. LSU does not have much time to let any camp absence linger with Clemson looming, so every rep matters now, especially as the Tigers try to sort out who is ready to handle the load when the opener arrives. Watkins availability will be worth watching as camp intensity rises and the depth chart starts to take shape. [Read more 🡒]