The calendar might still say February, but the buzz around LSU Football is already reaching midseason volume. And honestly, it’s not hard to see why.
The moment Lane Kiffin was announced as the Tigers’ next head coach, expectations skyrocketed in Baton Rouge. Since then, Kiffin has done what he does best-make noise in the transfer portal and build a roster that demands attention.
Let’s start with the headline: LSU signed the No. 1 transfer portal class in the country. That alone would be enough to turn heads.
But Kiffin didn’t stop there. He held on to several key contributors from last season and added a pair of 5-star recruits to the mix.
The result? A retooled, reloaded LSU squad that looks like it’s ready to make a serious run in 2026.
Oddsmakers are already showing some respect. LSU opens the season as a 10.5-point favorite over Clemson, and with +1300 odds to win the national title, the Tigers currently sit with the seventh-best chance to bring home the big trophy, according to DraftKings Sportsbook.
But not everyone’s buying the hype just yet.
CBS Sports recently dropped a batch of way-too-early bold predictions for the 2026 season, and LSU didn’t exactly get a warm embrace. In fact, Cody Nagel of CBS has the Tigers ranked No. 14 in his early top-25 and predicts they’ll miss the College Football Playoff altogether in Kiffin’s debut season.
Nagel’s reasoning? While he acknowledges LSU’s aggressive portal strategy and the clear talent infusion, he’s concerned about potential growing pains-on both sides of the ball.
That’s not an unreasonable take when you consider how much turnover this roster has seen. Even with experienced transfers, building chemistry and cohesion takes time, especially in the SEC.
He also points to LSU’s schedule, which is, to put it mildly, a gauntlet. It starts early with a marquee matchup against Clemson on September 5.
Then there’s a road trip to Ole Miss and a home game against Texas A&M-all in the first month. Fast forward to November, and LSU hosts both Alabama and Texas in back-to-back weeks before closing the season with road games at Tennessee and Arkansas.
That’s a brutal stretch, no matter how talented your roster is.
Still, there’s a counterpoint worth making. Many of Kiffin’s portal additions aren’t wide-eyed freshmen-they’re seasoned college players who’ve been through the fire.
These guys know what it takes to win at this level, and they won’t be intimidated by the SEC spotlight. If anything, they’ll be ready to embrace it.
And let’s not forget who’s running the show now. Kiffin has built a reputation for maximizing offensive talent and adapting quickly.
His time at Ole Miss proved he can elevate a program fast. Now, with LSU’s resources and recruiting pull behind him, the potential ceiling is even higher.
So yes, there may be some bumps along the way. That’s almost inevitable when you flip a roster and install a new system. But the foundation is there-talent, experience, and a coach who knows how to get the most out of both.
The Tigers aren’t just aiming to compete in 2026. They’re aiming to contend. And if they can navigate that brutal schedule and find their rhythm early, don’t be surprised if they’re in the thick of the playoff conversation come December.