Garrett Nussmeier’s Season Ends Quietly as LSU Prepares for Texas Bowl Without Him
HOUSTON - This wasn’t the senior season Garrett Nussmeier had in mind.
After bypassing the 2025 NFL Draft to return to LSU for one more shot at glory, Nussmeier’s campaign has been defined more by pain management than playoff pushes. Instead of leading the Tigers into the College Football Playoff, he’s been battling an abdominal injury that’s sidelined him for the final stretch of the season - and now, officially, the Texas Bowl.
LSU (7-5) is set to take on Houston (9-3) Saturday night at NRG Stadium (8:15 p.m. CT, ESPN), but Nussmeier won’t be suiting up.
Interim head coach Frank Wilson confirmed weeks ago that the senior quarterback had been ruled out for the bowl game. That decision, while disappointing, gives Nussmeier a head start on preparing for the NFL Draft process, which kicks off in early 2026.
A Season That Never Quite Took Off
Nussmeier’s 2025 season was shaped - and ultimately derailed - by an abdominal strain he suffered during preseason camp in August. He played through it for most of the year, but the injury caught up to him late in the season. After aggravating the issue ahead of the Arkansas game, he was forced to sit out the final three regular-season contests.
His last appearance came against Alabama, a game where he was pulled in the third quarter in favor of sophomore Michael Van Buren. That moment effectively marked the end of his college career.
In just over nine games, Nussmeier threw for 1,927 yards, 12 touchdowns, and five interceptions - solid numbers, but a noticeable drop from his breakout junior year in 2024, when he eclipsed 4,000 passing yards and tossed 29 touchdowns. The regression wasn’t about talent; it was about availability. And in a sport where health is often the great equalizer, Nussmeier simply couldn’t stay on the field long enough to replicate last year’s success.
Van Buren Gets the Start
With Nussmeier out, it’ll be Van Buren who leads the Tigers into the Texas Bowl. The sophomore has shown flashes of promise since taking over, particularly with his mobility - something that could be a key factor against a Houston defense that’s had its share of struggles containing dual-threat quarterbacks.
The expectation is that Van Buren’s ability to extend plays with his legs will be a difference-maker in what’s expected to be a tightly contested matchup. LSU’s offense won’t look the same without Nussmeier’s arm talent, but Van Buren brings a different dynamic that could keep Houston guessing.
Who Else Is Sitting Out?
Nussmeier isn’t the only Tiger who won’t be on the field Saturday night. LSU will also be without several other players who have opted out of the bowl game:
- QB Tre People
- RB Kaleb Jackson
- QB Colin Hurley
- WR Jelani Watkins
- CB Wallace Foster
- CB Ashton Stamps
- WR Kylan Billiot
While some of these absences are depth-related, they do impact LSU’s rotation, particularly at skill positions and in the secondary. Still, the Tigers have kept a solid core intact, and that continuity could prove crucial against a Houston team that’s looking to make a statement in its home city.
Game Info & Outlook
Kickoff: Dec. 27, 8:15 p.m. CT
Where: NRG Stadium, Houston
Watch: ESPN, streaming on Fubo
Despite the absences, LSU is still expected to put up a strong showing. The Tigers are favored in what projects to be a close game, and with Van Buren under center, there’s confidence that the offense can do enough to get the job done.
Prediction: LSU 24, Houston 20. The Tigers’ ability to maintain key pieces of their roster gives them a slight edge. If Van Buren can make plays with his legs and keep the chains moving, LSU should have just enough to fend off the Cougars and close the season on a high note.
As for Nussmeier, his college career may not have ended the way he hoped, but his body of work - especially that standout 2024 season - still gives him a shot to make noise at the next level. Now, his focus shifts to getting healthy and preparing for the next chapter.