LSU football has had one of the most dramatic offseasons in recent memory, but that did not translate to its Week 1 trouncing of Clemson in Louisiana's Death Valley. Lane Kiffin's debut with the Tigers couldn't have gone much better, with LSU winning 51-10 behind standout performances from Sam Leavitt, Winston Watkins, and the LSU defense.
In Week 2, LSU finds itself taking on an intrastate rival, albeit one that lacks the prestige of its Week 1 opponent. Louisiana Tech slaughtered Northwestern State in Week 1, hanging 80 on the Demons and only allowing a pair of field goals. It's the most points Louisiana Tech has scored since moving to Division I, and it was spurred by quarterback Blake Baker, who had 232 yards and three touchdowns before coming
out.
Watch LSU vs Louisiana Tech on SEC Network
Last season, Louisiana Tech played LSU tough in a 23-7 loss, albeit against a very different Tigers team than the one suiting up this year.
For Kiffin and LSU, it's just another week in the spotlight. After a lot of saber-rattling and chest puffing that peaked when the SEC scheduled a meeting to vote on LSU's potential expulsion from the conference, that possibility petered out. Now, it's full steam ahead out of Baton Rouge.
Here's everything you need to know about Saturday's matchup, including TV channel information, kickoff time, odds and our prediction.
What TV channel is LSU vs Louisiana Tech on today?
- TV channel: SEC Network
- Streaming: Watch ESPN
- Location: Tiger Stadium (Baton Rouge, Louisiana)
- Date: Saturday, Sept. 12
LSU vs Louisiana Tech start time today
LSU and Louisiana Tech are scheduled to kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET (6:30 p.m. CT).
LSU vs Louisiana Tech odds
Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Thursday, Sept. 10. Odds subject to change.
- Moneyline: LSU (-50000) | Louisiana Tech (+5000)
- Spread: LSU (-35.5)
- Over/under: 55.5 points
LSU vs Louisiana Tech predictions, picks
Score: LSU 49, Louisiana Tech 14
Why LSU wins: Louisiana Tech is a strong non-power opponent, but this LSU team is just too good. Sam Leavitt dices up the defense and Blake Baker struggles against an LSU defense that is perhaps a bit more staunch than Northwestern State.
Beat writers' picks
LSU 48, Louisiana Tech 13: LSU rolls against an inferior Louisiana Tech as Kiffin and offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr.'s offense gets percolating. - Cory Diaz, Lafayette Daily Advertiser
LSU vs Louisiana Tech: 3 keys to the game
Avoid the rat poison
It's no rarity to see teams come out looking a little bit sleepy against an inferior opponent. Week 1 was littered with teams who should have rolled on paper but struggled. LSU has a bit of unfinished business with Louisiana Tech, which played it tough last season. Coming out and riding the high to beat Clemson is one thing. Now will it play down to its next opponent?
Who is going to spell Dilin Jones?
While it's abundantly clear Dilin Jones will, and should, get the majority of carries for the Tigers, there's another question of who is going to supplement him. Stacy Gage and Landen Clark didn't pull ahead of each other in Week 1, partially because of a big day on the ground for Leavitt. If LSU is going to be successful long term, it has to be able to run the ball. And in today's game, that's hard to do with just one person getting the carries.
The exorcism of Brian Kelly
This is going to be kind of a litmus test for Kiffin at LSU. Louisiana Tech represents a ghost in the swamp, a team that played Brian Kelly's Tigers close and, frankly, was more physical than them last season. This game needs to be a dominant win for LSU. Call it unfair. Call it unreasonable. But that's the nature of college football. You have to win the games you're not supposed to and dominate the games you're supposed to win. That's why LSU brought Kiffin in, so that's what he has to do.
LSU football schedule 2026
All times Eastern; * - Denotes SEC opponent
- Saturday Sept. 5: LSU 51, Clemson 10
- Saturday, Sept. 12: vs Louisiana Tech | 7:30 p.m. | SEC Network
- Saturday, Sept. 19: at Ole Miss* | 7:30 p.m. | ABC/Fubo
- Saturday, Sept. 26: vs Texas A&M | TBD
- Saturday, Oct. 3: vs McNeese | 7:45 p.m. | SEC Network
- Saturday, Oct. 10: at Kentucky | TBD
- Saturday, Oct. 17: vs Mississippi State | TBD
- Saturday, Oct. 24: at Auburn | Noon
- Saturday, Oct. 31: BYE
- Saturday, Nov. 7: vs Alabama | TBD
- Saturday, Nov. 14: vs Texas | TBD
- Saturday, Nov. 21: at Tennessee | TBD
- Saturday, Nov. 28: at Arkansas | TBD
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What channel is LSU vs Louisiana Tech on today? Time, TV schedule to watch Week 2 game
Our editors independently choose our recommendations. Some content is produced with paid support from a third party, however our editorial decisions remain independent. If you buy through our links, the USA TODAY Network may earn a commission. Prices and availability may change.
Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. Sports betting operators have no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. Terms apply, see operator site for Terms and Conditions. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call the National Council on Problem Gambling 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, OH), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). Must be 21 or older to gamble. Sports betting and gambling are not legal in all locations. Be sure to comply with laws applicable where you reside. It is your sole responsibility to act in accordance with your local laws.
Gambling involves risk. Please only gamble with funds that you can comfortably afford to lose. While we do our utmost to offer good advice and information we cannot be held responsible for any loss that may be incurred as a result of gambling. We do our best to make sure all the information that we provide on this site is correct. However, from time to time mistakes will be made and we will not be held liable. Please check any stats or information if you are unsure how accurate they are. No guarantees are made with regards to results or financial gain. All forms of betting carry financial risk and it is up to the individual to make bets with or without the assistance of information provided on this site and we cannot be held responsible for any loss that may be incurred as a result of following the betting tips provided on this site. Past performances do not guarantee success in the future and betting odds fluctuate from one minute to the next. The material contained on this site is intended to inform, entertain and educate the reader and in no way represents an inducement to gamble legally or illegally or any sort of professional advice.
Prediction Markets: Certain prediction markets are event contracts regulated by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) or other applicable regulatory authorities and are legally distinct from traditional gambling and sports betting. Eligibility requirements to participate in prediction markets differ from those for sports betting and gambling — you may be required to be 18 or older (or such other age as the applicable platform requires) and to satisfy other eligibility criteria established by the relevant platform and governing law. Prediction market trading involves financial risk and may not be available in all jurisdictions. The legal and regulatory status of prediction markets varies by jurisdiction and by platform. It is your sole responsibility to confirm that participation is lawful where you reside and to comply with all applicable laws and platform terms.
