LSU has the coach, the talent, and, after a dud of a season, it has the schedule to ramp up and rock right away.
Lane Kiffin came in and instantly gave the program a boost. The transfer portal upgraded the playmakers, the expectations are back, and after a brutal September, there’s a whole lot to like with the 2026 slate.
Here’s our breakdown of what the Tigers have to deal with.
The Good, the Bad, and Who LSU Misses in 2026
Dec 1, 2025; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU president Wade Rousse, left, LSU new head coach Lane Kiffin and LSU athletic director Verge Ausberry stand together at South Stadium Club at Tiger Stadium.© Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images
(© Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images)
The Good
Four of the first five and five of the first seven games are in Oxford, and one of those road games is at Kentucky.
Out of the last four road games, three are against teams that didn’t go bowling last season, but …
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The Bad
The second half of the season is loaded with landmines.
Going to Auburn will be dangerous, and then after a week off is Alabama, Texas, and at Tennessee before going to Arkansas. That comes after a tough first part of the season with Clemson, at Ole Miss, and Texas A&M to deal with.
What SEC Teams LSU Will Miss
Florida, Georgia, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Vanderbilt.
This might be better than it seems. Not playing Georgia and Oklahoma is big, Florida and South Carolina will be better than last year, and not playing Missouri isn’t a bad deal.
LSU’s Best and Worst Case Scenarios in 2026
Best Case: Get to November unbeaten
There’s no problem against Clemson in the opener, and then come the tests at Ole Miss and Texas A&M – and the Rebels pass both.
Even with road games at Kentucky and Auburn, it’s an 8-0 start going into November. The last four games aren’t easy, but the Tigers survive and go to the SEC Championship.
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Worst Case: Ole Miss wins
For a whole slew of reasons, losing at Ole Miss would be a disaster. It would be embarrassing for Lane Kiffin, and it’s the SEC opener before going to Texas A&M.
The Tigers lose to the Aggies, drop one of the two road games at Kentucky and Auburn, and then come the real problems, losing to Alabama and Texas, making the final two road games must wins.
LSU Football 2026 Schedule
Sept 5 Clemson
Sept 12 Louisiana Tech
Sept 19 at Ole Miss
Sept 26 Texas A&M
Oct 3 McNeese
Oct 10 at Kentucky
Oct 17 Mississippi State
Oct 24 at Auburn
Oct 31 OPEN DATE
Nov 7 Alabama
Nov 14 Texas
Nov 21 at Tennessee
Nov 28 at Arkansas
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Games That Will Decide LSU’s Season
1. at Ole Miss, Sept. 19
This is world-class hilarious that Lane Kiffin goes back to Oxford to start the SEC season.
2. Alabama, Nov. 7
Considering Texas and Tennessee are next, beating the Tide after losing the last three meetings could be a must.
3. at Tennessee, Nov. 21
Because the trip to Ole Miss won’t be fun enough, there’s a key late date in Knoxville, and Tennessee fans looooovvvvvve Lane Kiffin.
Related: Missouri Football 2026 Schedule: Full Breakdown and Season Outlook
This story was originally published by College Football News on Feb 7, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add College Football News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
