A New Schedule for the Tigers
LSU has revealed a slate of four non‑conference home games that will stretch from 2027 through 2030, each pitting the Tigers against familiar in‑state rivals. The lineup includes a home matchup with Northwestern State on August 28, 2027, a contest with ULM scheduled for August 26, 2028, a September 9, 2028 game against Southern, and a 2030 visit from Tulane on August 31.
The timing of these games coincides with the NCAA’s decision to make Week 0 the official start of the college football season in 2027, a shift that will allow teams to open with a designated early‑season slot. Historically, only programs participating in international tours or traveling to Hawaii could claim a Week 0 slot, and they had to obtain a special waiver from the NCAA.
LSU’s push to schedule Week 0 games against opponents such as Northwestern State and ULM reflects a broader trend championed by Lane Kiffin, whose own scheduling philosophy emphasizes tune‑up contests before confronting tougher competition. Kiffin, now a prominent figure in college football strategy, previously advocated a similar approach while at Ole Miss, where his teams often opened against less‑heralded foes.
Within the SEC, the new nine‑conference‑game mandate and the requirement to schedule at least one Power 4 opponent outside the league have increased the demand for quality Week 0 tune‑ups. LSU’s upcoming slate therefore not only showcases regional rivalries but also positions the Tigers to meet the conference’s expanded non‑conference expectations.