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The anticipation surrounding LSU football's upcoming season has intensified as the Tigers secured the No. 13 position in the preseason US LBM Coaches Poll, the first major ranking released for the 2026 campaign. This placement underscores the widespread belief that new head coach Lane Kiffin will swiftly revitalize the program, which finished the previous season with a 7-6 record and a Texas Bowl loss to Houston.
Coaches across the nation have weighed in, placing LSU as the seventh-highest SEC team in the poll, trailing Georgia, Texas, Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, and Alabama. The Tigers' preseason ranking is particularly notable as they are the highest unranked team from last year to appear in the poll, with Penn State following at No. 17.
Key Analysis
LSU's challenging 2026 schedule features six ranked opponents, including four within the top 10: No. 4 Texas, No. 8 Texas A&M, No. 10 Ole Miss, and No. 11 Alabama. The season opener against No. 23 Clemson on September 5 will be a marquee matchup, broadcast on ABC at 6:30 p.m. CT. This game marks the second consecutive year the Tigers have opened with Clemson, adding an early test for Kiffin's squad.
The coaches poll reflects a broader confidence in Kiffin's ability to turn around the team despite roster overhaul and a coaching change. With high expectations from both media and SEC coaches, who picked LSU third and fifth respectively, the Tigers enter the season with significant pressure to perform. The poll's top five includes Ohio State, Oregon, Georgia, Texas, and Notre Dame, setting a high bar for the rest of the field.
Originally reported by theadvertiser.