The first AP Top 25 poll has given LSU a clear picture of what the road ahead looks like, and it is not exactly a soft landing.
Lane Kiffin’s Tigers check in at No. 11 in the preseason rankings, one of nine SEC teams in the top 25, and the schedule around them is loaded with ranked opponents. Before LSU can even settle into the season, the Tigers will get their first major test against Clemson, then move into a stretch that features several teams sitting inside the AP Top 25.
One of the most anticipated matchups comes on September 19, when LSU faces Ole Miss. Kiffin’s return to Oxford is already set to stir things up, and the Rebels bring more than just the storyline. They have a talented roster, which makes this an early-season challenge LSU has to handle.
Right after that, the Tigers get another heavy lift at home against No. 8 Texas A&M.
The Aggies are looking to rebound after a disappointing finish to 2025, but the talent level is still obvious. Texas A&M should remain one of the country’s best rushing teams, which means LSU’s defensive front will be under real pressure.
Marcell Reed caused problems for the Tigers a year ago, and LSU added multiple players to help deal with that kind of threat.
Then comes Alabama, a program that is outside the top 10 in the preseason poll for the first time since 2008. Kalen DeBoer has already acknowledged the skepticism around the Crimson Tide, and this matchup should have plenty of juice no matter what the rankings say. Alabama has new pieces, including at quarterback, but LSU’s home field gives the Tigers a real edge in a game that could carry College Football Playoff weight.
The biggest ranked showdown on LSU’s schedule may come on November 14, when Texas visits Baton Rouge. The Longhorns are the highest-ranked team LSU will face this season, and they arrive with a roster built through a major transfer-portal investment. Steve Sarkisian now has to make that talent work, with Arch Manning back for his second full season as the starting quarterback and plenty of weapons around him.
LSU also gets several of these ranked matchups at home, which matters for a team that has thrived there for years. That could be especially important late in the year if the Tigers are still chasing a playoff spot.
Tennessee is another ranked opponent on the slate, and the teams will meet for the first time since October 2022, when the Volunteers rolled to a 40-13 win. Last season, Tennessee handled the games it was supposed to win but never landed that signature victory. The Volunteers finished 8-4, and while it is unclear exactly what Josh Heupel’s team will look like in November, the trip to LSU still shapes up as a difficult road test.
In Other News...
LSU Suddenly Has A Fall Camp Concern Before Clemson
LSUs 12th fall camp practice brought a little more clarity in one spot and a little more concern in another as the Tigers continued their buildup to Clemson. Sophomore cornerback DJ Pickett was back on the field in a non-contact jersey for the first time this preseason, but he still took part in drills and did not appear limited during the media viewing period.
The bigger question came from the absences, with sophomore running back Harlem Berry and junior defensive end Jordan Ross out again after missing the previous days work. For a camp already shaped by the push toward the opener, repeated missed practice time at two key spots is the kind of development LSU will keep watching closely even as junior quarterback Sam Leavitt continued to look sharp and efficient, connecting on several passes including deep throws. [Read more 🡒]
Ed Orgeron Brings A Familiar Jolt Back To LSU
Ed Orgeron is back around LSU in a familiar role, and his return has added a little old-school energy to a preseason camp full of fresh faces. After four seasons away from coaching, Orgeron has rejoined the program as a special assistant to recruiting and defense, and he has already been active in practices. His work has been especially noticeable with the defensive line, where his hands-on approach and long track record in college football have given LSU another experienced voice on a mostly new staff.
For a program that has leaned on change in recent years, Orgerons presence offers something different: familiarity, urgency and a clear sense of what the Tigers have been in the past. He remains known for the kind of passionate coaching style that can light up a practice field, and LSU is also counting on the recruiting edge that helped define his rise through the game. Even without a headline role, he has quickly become one of the more interesting additions around the program this fall. [Read more 🡒]
LSU Has A New Defensive Tackle Battle Fans Need To Watch
LSU is in the final stages of its offseason work with Lane Kiffins debut game against Clemson looming, and one of the more interesting subplots in Fall Camp is developing right in the middle of the defensive front. The Tigers added three defensive linemen last December, and all three true freshmen are now getting meaningful chances to show they belong as LSU sorts through its defensive tackle options.
The competition has become a real camp storyline because the staff is giving significant first-team run to a trio of newcomers, which says plenty about how unsettled the depth chart still is. For a defense that wants to be ready when the season opener arrives, the next stretch of camp will help determine how quickly the line can settle into place and which young tackles can handle the pressure of playing early. [Read more 🡒]