LSU football is back on a positive trajectory after landing the top-ranked transfer portal class, which featured the No. 1 quarterback, No. 1 offensive tackle, No. 1 edge rusher, and a slew of highly-touted receivers, according to On3’s transfer rankings.
All of this happened due to LSU’s hire of head coach Lane Kiffin.
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The national media is a huge fan of the Tigers’ 2026 playoff chances, as was evident in a recent poll conducted by The Athletic. They polled 28 of their college football writers and editors, asking them various questions regarding the 2026 season and who they believe will have a good year.
According to one polling question, LSU is among the teams poised for a great 2026 season. The question asked pollers to name three teams that missed the playoffs this season who will make it in 2026, and the Tigers were among the top vote-getters. LSU earned nine votes, finishing behind only BYU (11), Texas (17), and Notre Dame (23).
There’s an argument to be made that LSU deserved a higher spot on the list, but given how much of their 2026 season is based on pure prediction, fourth isn’t the end of the world. The three teams that finished ahead of them nearly made it to the playoffs this past season, which only proves how much confidence The Athletic’s writers have in Kiffin’s ability to turn things around in Baton Rouge.
This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: CFB media makes exciting prediction for LSU’s playoff chances in 2026
