Stephen A. Smith tempers expectations for LSU football, Lane Kiffin

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LSU football dealt with high expectations ahead of the 2025 season and things haven't changed heading into 2026. SEC Network's Jordan Rodgers, said the Tigers must make the national championship in their first year under head coach Lane Kiffin. ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith fired back at Rodgers, calling the take "a bit extreme."

"You picked up the number one ranked transfer portal class in the country," Smith said. "Nine top 100 transfers, okay, including the number one quarterback, the number one offensive lineman and the number one edge rusher. I got it, Jordan.

"I'm saying, can we at least give him year two for that to say the first year with 40 to 59 newcomers, Jordan? I think that's a bit extreme."

The Tigers retooled their roster by adding 59 new players, including 43 via the transfer portal, following Kiffin's arrival. Quarterback Sam Leavitt, offensive lineman Jordan Seaton and edge Princewill Umanmielen. The talent level and years of Power Four experience are hard to argue. But Smith points out that LSU must play as a unit to reach the pinnacle of college football.

"I know the talent's there," Smith said. "That don't mean he could go and win nine games. It doesn't mean that Ole Miss should be better. I get your part with that. But what I'm saying is you can't look at a team with 59 damn newcomers, 43 transfers, and act like, yo, championship game or bust."

"I can't do that to him. Not year one," Smith said.

There are differing opinions on what fair expectations are for Kiffin this fall. Kiffin told reporters this week that this roster was good enough to win now, still, there are always questions with this many new faces.

This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: Stephen A. Smith tempers expectations for LSU football, Lane Kiffin

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