The first College Football Playoff rankings of 2026 put LSU at No. 14 on Tuesday night, one spot ahead of where the Tigers landed in the latest US LBM Coaches Poll and AP Poll.
That placement fits the shape of LSU’s season so far. The Tigers are 6-2, but they still don’t have the kind of marquee win that tends to grab attention in the rankings. What does stand out is the scoring margin, along with the fact that both losses came on the road against strong opponents.
Now comes the stretch that could change everything. LSU hosts Alabama in Tiger Stadium this weekend, and that game gives the Tigers a shot at the signature win they’re still chasing. Alabama checked in at No. 5 in the CFP rankings even with two losses.
The road ahead does not get any easier. After Alabama, LSU plays Texas at home and then heads to Tennessee. All three of those teams - Alabama, Texas and Tennessee - are in the top 10 of ESPN’s FPI ratings.
LSU is still in control of its own path. If the Tigers win out and finish 10-2, they should make the CFP field comfortably. Even at 9-3, LSU would still have a shot, though it would need some help to get there.
The next set of playoff rankings comes out Tuesday, Nov. 10. If LSU gets past Alabama, the Tigers should climb sharply.
The full top 25 in the first CFP rankings had Miami at No. 1, followed by Georgia, Utah and Indiana. Alabama sat at No. 5, while LSU landed behind Tennessee at No. 14.
In Other News...
LSU Just Got A Stark Reminder About SEC Eligibility Rules
Missouri is dealing with an eligibility issue that doubles as a warning shot for the rest of the SEC. Guard CJ Gunn has been ruled ineligible by the conference after signing a professional contract and receiving payment to play in the Canadian Elite Basketball League, a move that runs afoul of the leagues rule on college basketball players who turn pro after enrolling.
Coach Dennis Gates confirmed the ruling and said there is no appeal, leaving Missouri without a path to get Gunn back on the floor through conference channels. The timing also shuts the door on the G League draft, a reminder that these eligibility questions can quickly spill beyond one roster and into a much wider set of consequences for teams trying to navigate the modern college game. [Read more 🡒]
LSU Fans Will Notice What Alabama Is Worried About In Death Valley
Keelon Russells development has become part of the conversation in Tuscaloosa at exactly the wrong time for Alabama, with a trip to Death Valley looming and Kalen DeBoer trying to keep his young quarterback on track. DeBoer has leaned into the idea that Russell has to keep learning from past experiences while staying composed once the game starts, a reminder that Alabama is still sorting through some of the same growing pains that tend to show up when the pressure rises.
For LSU fans, that is the kind of worry worth noting because it speaks to what Alabama thinks could swing a marquee SEC showdown. The Tigers get the Crimson Tide at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC, and the buildup already suggests the visitors know they will need steadiness from Russell if they want to handle the noise, the stage and the challenge that comes with playing in Baton Rouge. [Read more 🡒]
LSU Could Be Getting An Important Frontcourt Boost Sooner Than Expected
LSUs frontcourt could get a welcome boost sooner than expected, with Noa Morro now trending toward a return as early as next week. Kim Mulkey said the senior has been back on the floor in practice and taking part in pregame warm-ups, a notable step for a player who had surgery in early September to address a stress fracture.
Morro brings a veteran presence to the Tigers after a career that included professional experience in Spain and international play for Spanish national teams before arriving in Baton Rouge. For LSU, getting her back into the mix would add depth and experience inside at a time when every healthy body matters, and the next step will be seeing how quickly she can work back into game shape once she is cleared. [Read more 🡒]