Kiffin’s Vision Takes Shape
The Associated Press released its first Top 25 preseason poll for the 2026 college football season, placing LSU at No. 11, a spot that reflects both the program’s recent momentum and the optimism surrounding new head coach Lane Kiffin.
Earlier in the year the US LBM Preseason Coaches Poll had already nudged the Tigers to No. 13, underscoring a consensus that the team is poised for a strong campaign despite the season still being months away.
A Schedule Built for Drama
Kiffin, who arrived in Baton Rouge with a reputation for offensive innovation, is entering his inaugural year with the Tigers, and early betting lines and analyst commentary suggest that the expectations are only growing.
Within the Southeastern Conference, LSU sits as the sixth‑highest ranked team, trailing only Georgia, Texas, Texas A&M, Ole Miss and Oklahoma, all of whom are also featured among the nation’s elite.
The schedule promises a gauntlet of top‑ten matchups, with the Tigers slated to face five of the eight ranked SEC opponents, including Texas, Texas A&M, Ole Miss, Alabama and Tennessee, a slate that could shape the playoff picture early.
Even Clemson, who entered the season outside the preseason top 25, earned 112 voting points in the AP poll, indicating that the Tigers’ opening opponent will provide a measuring stick for the team’s early form.
Across the broader landscape, LSU’s name appears alongside traditional powerhouses such as Ohio State, Oregon, Georgia, Notre Dame, Texas, Indiana, Miami, Texas A&M, Ole Miss, Oklahoma, Texas Tech, Alabama, BYU, USC, Michigan, Washington, Penn State, SMU, Tennessee and Utah, reflecting a deep field of competition.