LSU will begin the 2026 season just outside the top 10.
The Tigers are ranked No. 11 in the preseason Associated Press Top 25 released Monday.
Ohio State opens the season at No. 1 after receiving 40 first-place votes. Oregon is No. 2, followed by Georgia, Notre Dame and Texas to round out the top five.
LSU is one of nine SEC teams in the preseason Top 25. The Tigers are behind Georgia (No. 3), Texas (No. 5), Texas A&M (No. 8), Ole Miss (No. 9) and Oklahoma (No. 10). Alabama is two spots behind LSU at No. 13.
Lane Kiffin's Tigers open the 2026 season against Clemson on Sept. 5. Clemson is the first team outside the Top 25 with 112 points in the preseason voting.
AP TOP 25 — PRESEASON POLL
1, Ohio State — 1,672 points (40 first-place votes)
2, Oregon — 1,597 (14)
3, Georgia — 1,513
4. Notre Dame — 1,510 (6)
5. Texas — 1,483
6. Indiana — 1,440 (8)
7. Miami (FL) — 1,379 (1)
8. Texas A&M — 1,131
9. Ole Miss — 1,102
10. Oklahoma — 1,047
11. LSU — 988
12 Texas Tech — 983
13. Alabama — 904
T-14. BYU — 839
T-14. USC — 839
16. Michigan — 718
17. Washington — 501
18. Penn State — 482
19. SMU — 434
20. Tennessee — 394
21 Utah — 304
22. Iowa — 260
23. Houston — 252
24. Louisville — 194
25. Missouri — 117
Others receiving votes: Clemson 112, Florida 51, Boise State 43, Arizona 32, TCU 11, Navy 10, South Carolina 10, Illinois 9, Oklahoma State 8, Vanderbilt 8, Pittsburgh 7, Virginia Tech 6, Minnesota 5, UNLV 4, New Mexico 4, Georgia Tech 4, Louisiana 4, James Madison 3, Auburn 3, Memphis 2, California 2, Liberty 1, Western Michigan 1, Tulane 1, Virginia 1.
