CBS Sports Predicts LSU's 2026 Record With Game-By-Game Picks

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LSU

Projected record: 10-2, 7-2

Wins: Clemson, Louisiana Tech, Texas A&M, McNeese, at Kentucky, Mississippi State, at Auburn, Alabama, Texas, Arkansas

Losses: at Ole Miss, at Tennessee

Can LSU fans stomach losses to both of Lane Kiffin's rival programs in his first season as long as the Tigers reach the CFP? That answer should be a resounding yes. He wasn't brought to LSU to merely compete for playoff spots -- he was hired to bring championships back to Baton Rouge. That's why Brian Kelly was fired after three-plus years. Expectations are sky-high, and a 10-2 regular season would represent a strong first step toward meeting them. Given the Tigers' talent level, expected quarterback play and favorable roster construction, LSU should spend most of the season inside the national top 15. At 10-2 overall, the Tigers would likely earn one of the CFP's top at-large seeds, potentially landing in the No. 6 to No. 8 range depending on how the SEC race and other leagues unfold. More importantly, LSU would enter the postseason as a legitimate threat. Kiffin's offenses have always been dangerous, and with championship-caliber athletes across the roster, the Tigers would be a difficult out in the bracket.

Projected final SEC standings

Team (Projected record) Projected finish

Texas (12-1, 8-1) SEC title game winner; CFP No. 2 seed

Georgia (11-2, 8-1) SEC title game runner-up; CFP No. 5 seed

LSU (10-2, 7-2) CFP No. 9 seed

Ole Miss (9-3, 6-3) CFP No. 11 seed

Alabama (9-3, 6-3) Citrus Bowl

Texas A&M (8-4, 5-4) ReliaQuest Bowl

Oklahoma (8-4, 5-4) Gator Bowl

Tennessee (8-4, 5-4) Las Vegas Bowl

South Carolina (7-5, 4-5) Texas Bowl

Auburn (7-5, 4-5) Gasparilla Bowl

Florida (6-6, 3-6) Liberty Bowl

Missouri (6-6, 3-6) Music City Bowl

Vanderbilt (6-6, 3-6) Birmingham Bowl

Kentucky (5-7, 2-7) N/A

Arkansas (4-8, 2-7) N/A

Mississippi State (4-8, 1-8) N/A

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