LSU opens the 2026 season sitting at No. 13 in the first US LBM Coaches Poll, a respectable early spot that still leaves the Tigers behind six SEC teams.
The initial rankings came out Tuesday afternoon, and they put LSU in a crowded middle of the national picture. Ohio State claimed the No. 1 spot, followed by Oregon, Georgia, Texas, Notre Dame and Indiana. The Tigers are just outside the top 10, but the SEC presence above them is heavy: Georgia, Texas, Mississippi, Alabama, Texas A&M and Oklahoma all landed ahead of LSU.
It’s the kind of ranking that matches the buzz around year one under head coach Lane Kiffin. LSU loaded up through the transfer portal with the top-ranked class and also added a handful of highly regarded high school recruits.
Kiffin also brought his offensive staff with him from Ole Miss, where those units regularly piled up points in Oxford. On the other side of the ball, LSU kept Blake Baker in place after his defense finished top-15 nationally in 2025.
The Tigers’ opener on Sept. 5 against Clemson now carries ranked-game weight. Clemson checked in at No. 23, turning the matchup into an early-season showdown between ranked teams. ESPN’s College Gameday will be in Baton Rouge for Week 1.
The top of the poll went to Ohio State, which was ranked No. 6 last season and still returns star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith even after losing production to the NFL. Oregon followed at No. 2, Georgia at No. 3, and Texas rounded out the top four.
Six teams received first-place votes in the poll. Ohio State led the way with 38, while Oregon got six, Georgia seven, Texas two, Notre Dame five and Indiana 14.
In Other News...
Lane Kiffins First LSU Practice Already Sent A Clear Message
Lane Kiffins first preseason practice at LSU came with a clean bill of health across the roster, and that alone was enough to make the opening session feel different. With the Tigers back on the field and everybody reportedly available, the new coach got an early look at a group that could start building its identity without the usual August injury caveats hanging over it. Even in a first workout, there was a sense that the program was turning the page with some actual momentum.
One of the more encouraging developments came from quarterback Sam Leavitt, who was back on the field after foot surgery and taking part in the work. The staff also had a small but meaningful off-field gesture to point to, with cornerback D.J. Pickett changing his jersey number to 5 after LSU followed through on a promise made during his recruitment. It was the kind of day that mixed routine summer practice with a few reminders that details matter, especially when a new era is getting started. [Read more 🡒]
LSUs First Defensive Look Created A Camp Battle Fans Will Watch
The first defensive look of LSUs preseason camp offered an early reminder that August can scramble a depth chart in a hurry. On the opening day of practice for the 2026 season, the Tigers mixed in several new faces with the veterans, and the most eye-catching shuffle came in the secondary, where the staff had Ty Benefield working with one young safety in a setup that suggested the competition is already wide open. Head coach Lane Kiffin said the early part of camp is about rotation and evaluation, and LSU is clearly using those first reps to see who can handle more than just a promising start.
The same theme showed up up front, where the defensive tackle group also got an early shakeup and a freshman was pulled into the first unit. For a defense trying to replace production and settle on reliable combinations, those choices matter because they can shape not just the first week of camp but the way the whole unit develops before the opener. The unresolved part is how long these alignments last, and whether the veterans can push back before the Tigers settle on a more permanent order. [Read more 🡒]
LSU Fall Camp Is Starting To Reveal Which Young Tigers Matter
LSUs fall camp has only just gotten going, but it is already offering a first look at which young players could matter once the games start counting. With so many new faces and coaches adjusting on both sides of the ball, the early reps have taken on extra meaning. Freshman wide receiver Barber has been one of the names drawing attention after an impressive summer, while cornerback PJ Woodland looks like he could become an important piece on defense.
Thomas is another player worth watching as camp unfolds. The tight end is in the middle of a fight for playing time, and the next few weeks will be important as he keeps working with LSUs quarterbacks and tries to build the kind of chemistry that can move him up the depth chart. For a team trying to sort out its new look, these early battles may end up telling the story of how quickly the youngest Tigers are ready to help. [Read more 🡒]