LSU Tigers Just Outside Of Top 10 In Preseason Coaches Poll

NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...

On Tuesday, now just a few weeks from the first games being played, USA Today released the preseason edition of the 2026 Coaches Poll. In it, the LSU Tigers are right outside the top 10 at No. 13.

The Ohio State Buckeyes took the top spot, unsurprisingly, followed by the Oregon Ducks, Georgia Bulldogs, Texas Longhorns and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish to round out the Top 5. Pete Golding and the Ole Miss Rebels will start the season above Lane Kiffin and the Tigers at No. 10.

Now, the biggest remaining question is how LSU's ranking changes between the Coaches Poll and the AP Poll, the two biggest systems viewed until the College Football Playoff Committee takes over. How will the offseason drama surrounding the Lane Kiffin hire impact the media's view of this team? Are they higher or lower than the coaches?

The Tigers obviously had a down year last year, which ushered in all of the change this offseason. But it’s because of those changes that the expectations are already back to being one of the best in the country.

Kiffin’s first year in Baton Rouge will certainly be entertaining, or at least the star-studded roster suggests as much. He brought in his guys on offense and retained most of what was already one of the nation's top defensive staffs.

LSU has had teams that were unstoppable offensively and dominant defensively, but never at the same. The promise that this roster brings is one of finally seeing complimentary football rather than one side dragging a corpse.

The offense is going to be led by quarterback Sam Leavitt, who is hoping to turn this season into a trip to the first round of the NFL draft. He had a great year in 2024, but fell off due to injuries and other circumstances last season. Kiffin and Charlie Weis Jr. have had a great run of getting the most out of quarterbacks, which means Leavitt could be in for a big year.

It'll be a lot of the same over on defense. Blake Baker will run the show for at least one more year while the Tigers run back a lot of the same stars and replace the lost ones with just as big a talent. The pass rush should be improved, and the safety room has the potential to be the best in the country.

More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos