Is Garrett Nussmeier playing today in Texas Bowl? Injury update
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HOUSTON – This season hasn’t been the season LSU football senior quarterback Garrett Nussmeier envision for himself.
The signal caller turned down entering the 2025 NFL Draft last year to return to Baton Rouge to continue his pursuit of leading the Tigers back to the national championship game. That did not happen as he’s played through injury most of the season and LSU (7-5) will meet Houston (9-3) in the Texas Bowl inside NRG Stadium Saturday night (8:15 p.m. CT, ESPN).
Due to an abdominal strain that he initially suffered during preseason practice back in August, Nussmeier missed the final three regular season games for the Tigers. In the last game he played in at Alabama, Nussmeier was benched in the third quarter for sophomore backup Michael Van Buren, who has started in his place since reaggravating the abdominal injury ahead of the Arkansas game.
In nine-plus games, Nussmeier has thrown for 1,927 yards, 12 touchdowns and five interceptions in 2025. The LSU quarterback’s numbers are a far cry from his performance as a first-time start his junior year when he put up more than 4,000 passing yards and 29 touchdowns in 2024.
Is Garrett Nussmeier playing today?
Nussmeier will not play against Houston in the Texas Bowl today. Interim LSU coach Frank Wilson told reporters multiple weeks before the game that Nussmeier had already been ruled out for the contest.
Missing the Texas Bowl will allow Nussmeier a jumpstart in getting ready for the NFL Draft process, which officially kicks off early 2026.
What LSU football players have opted out of Texas Bowl?
- Quarterback Tre People
- Running back Kaleb Jackson
- Quarterback Colin Hurley
- Wide receiver Jelani Watkins
- Cornerback Wallace Foster
- Cornerback Ashton Stamps
- Wide receiver Kylan Billiot
When does LSU play Houston?
The Tigers face off against the Cougars in the Texas Bowl Dec. 27. Kickoff is set for 8:15 p.m. CT and will air on ESPN and stream on Fubo.
LSU vs Houston prediction
LSU 24, Houston 20: The fact that LSU has kept an important part of its roster together for this game should equate to a solid bowl game performance against Houston, the home town team of this game. Quarterback Michael Van Buren effects this game with his legs enough for the Tigers emerge victorious.
LSU vs Houston tickets
You can find Texas Bowl tickets for LSU vs Houston on StubHub.
Cory Diaz covers the LSU Tigers for The Daily Advertiser as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his Tigers coverage on Twitter: @ByCoryDiaz. Got questions regarding LSU athletics? Send them to Cory Diaz at bdiaz@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Is Garrett Nussmeier playing today in Texas Bowl? Injury update
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