LSU’s bye week came at a good time, because the Tigers are heading into the stretch run banged up and about to step into one of the biggest games on their schedule. After two straight wins - a 31-0 shutout of Mississippi State and a victory over Auburn - LSU will be back at it Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET when Alabama comes to town.
The latest AP Top 25 kept LSU right where it was. The Tigers remained No. 15 after the open week, while Alabama climbed one spot from No. 10 to No.
- That sets up another top-15 showdown, and it will be LSU’s fourth-ranked opponent of the season.
Both programs have lived in the AP Poll all year. LSU has already peaked at No. 7, while Alabama reached as high as No. 6.
Alabama is also coming off a bye, and it used the week after back-to-back losses to Georgia and Tennessee to reset. The Crimson Tide answered with a 31-20 win over Texas A&M.
Saturday’s meeting will be the 33rd time LSU and Alabama have faced each other as ranked teams. Alabama leads the overall series 58-0, and LSU is trying to end a three-game skid against the Crimson Tide.
Lane Kiffin's team is playing at a high level. Sam Leavitt has protected the ball but will face a Crimson Tide secondary that's tied for the SEC lead in interceptions (12). It will be Leavitt's toughest challenge yet.
In Other News...
LSU Just Changed A Game Day Tradition Before Alabama Weekend
LSU is tightening its game day playbook ahead of the Alabama weekend, and the changes go well beyond what happens between the lines. University officials announced new safety measures aimed at student gatherings after recent incidents involving uncontrolled crowds and disruptive behavior on campus, a sign that the school is trying to get ahead of the kind of chaos that can spill over when one of the seasons biggest home dates arrives.
The new policy includes bans on unauthorized large events, mandatory shutdowns of student tailgates before kickoff and postgame restrictions, all part of an effort to keep campus safer and more orderly on football Saturdays. LSU also is creating a Football Tailgating Steering Committee to oversee the process, underscoring how seriously the school is treating the push to preserve a family-friendly atmosphere around Tiger Stadium. [Read more 🡒]
Alabama Just Got An Early Reality Check For LSU Showdown
The first betting line for LSUs Week 10 trip to Alabama already says plenty about how this matchup is being viewed heading into the 2026 college football season. LSU opened as a 4-point favorite in a game that figures to carry real weight in both the SEC race and the College Football Playoff picture, with both teams ranked and carrying similar records into a meeting that comes after bye weeks.
For Alabama, it is an early reminder that the script around this rivalry may be shifting, even if the history still leans heavily in its favor. The Crimson Tide own a 58-27-5 edge all-time and have won the last three meetings, but the market is treating this one like a true toss-up with LSU holding the early edge, which only adds another layer to a game that already feels like one of the leagues biggest measuring sticks. [Read more 🡒]
LSU Just Landed An Elite Big With Huge Long Term Upside
LSUs 2027 recruiting class got another major boost with the commitment of Xavier Young, a five-star big who has reclassified from the 2028 class. The move gives the Tigers an even more impressive foundation in a cycle that is already drawing attention, and it comes with the kind of long-term upside programs build around when they land an elite frontcourt prospect this early.
Young pointed to his trust in LSUs coaching staff and the chance to develop sooner against stronger competition as key parts of his decision. For the Tigers, it is another sign that the pitch is resonating with top talent, and another reason this class is starting to look like one that could shape the programs future well beyond the next season. [Read more 🡒]