Breaking Down the Coaches Poll: Which Teams Are Overrated and Underrated?

The LSU Tigers were ranked No. 13 in the 2026 preseason coaches' poll, which was released on Tuesday.

CBS Sports writer Cody Nagel reacted to the Top 25 by selecting teams that he thinks are overrated and underrated based on their rankings.

For LSU, Nagel thinks the Tigers are underrated at No. 13.

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Underrated: No. 13 LSU
It's fair that voters are hesitant to immediately buy into Lane Kiffin at LSU. Good or bad, there's certain to be plenty of headlines in Baton Rouge.

Kiffin has consistently built explosive offenses throughout his career, and again, he has the type of quarterback who can maximize that system in Arizona State transfer Sam Leavitt. If he stays healthy, the Tigers have the offensive upside to challenge anyone in the SEC.

The rest of LSU's top transfer class only adds to the optimism. The Tigers landed defensive difference-makers like edge rusher Princewill Umanmielen and linebacker TJ Dottery, giving coordinator Blake Baker more pieces to work with.

There are legitimate questions with so many new faces, but that's also why LSU feels undervalued.

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Underrated Teams:
No. 5 Notre Dame
No. 12 Texas Tech
No. 13 LSU

Overrated Teasm:
No. 8 Texas A&M
No. 17 Penn State
No. 23 Clemson