The LSU Tigers have not returned to the College Football Playoff since the 2019 season, a span that includes the departure of quarterback Joe Burrow and a string of coaching changes.
Kiffin’s Immediate Impact
The 2025 campaign ended in disappointment, prompting the university to part ways with head coach Brian Kelly and appoint Lane Kiffin as the new leader, with the explicit goal of restoring national relevance.
Kiffin arrived with a mandate to overhaul the roster, and the Tigers responded by securing the nation’s top transfer class, highlighted by quarterback Sam Leavitt, a move that has raised expectations among fans and analysts alike.
Despite the optimism, oddsmakers remain skeptical; according to BetMGM, the probability of LSU missing the playoff again is priced at -190, while the chance of a return sits at +155.
The upcoming season will test whether Kiffin’s aggressive recruiting strategy can translate into on‑field success, as the Tigers aim to break the playoff drought and rewrite their recent narrative.