LSU football beat Texas A&M for the Tigers' first SEC win of 2026. The win served as revenge for an LSU program that was blown out by Texas A&M in 2024 and 2025. The 2025 loss to the Aggies was particularly hurtful as Texas A&M took over Tiger Stadium. LSU head coach Brian Kelly was fired the next day.
Performances like Saturday night are what LSU envisioned when it hired Lane Kiffin. A week after LSU fell at Ole Miss, Kiffin's Tigers responded with a complete performance on both sides of the ball. The offense was prolific, and the defense played lights-out.
Texas A&M QB Marcel Reed was Kryptonite for LSU DC Blake Baker in their previous two meetings, but Reed played one of the worst games of his collegiate career on Saturday.
LSU faced questions
after the Week 3 loss. Would Sam Leavitt settle down? Could the LSU offensive line block? Would LSU respond to an emotional loss? In Week 4, LSU silenced critics and reestablished itself as a College Football Playoff contender. Here are five takeaways from LSU's win over Texas A&M.
Sam Leavitt played his best game of 2026
I thought LSU QB Sam Leavitt played his best game of 2026. He stood in the pocket and delivered the football on time. Leavitt looked comfortable despite LSU missing star tight end Trey'Dez Green. Leavitt completed 17 of 23 passes for 312 yards and two touchdowns. His 13.6 yards per attempt was elite, and PFF gave Leavitt a 92.7 passing grade.
Here's a reel of Leavitt's best throws from the night, including several beauties to wide receiver Winston Watkins.
Sam Leavitt top throws vs Texas A&M pic.twitter.com/MnTJ3DtflB
— hawkinn (@h4wkinnn) September 27, 2026
This is the version of Leavitt that LSU needs for the rest of the year. For this offense to work, the Tigers need a real passing game—Leavitt's first priority can't be taking off and running. Vs. Texas A&M, Leavitt looked interested in throwing the ball and playing quarterback. LSU needs to keep that rolling.
The LSU defense limited Marcel Reed
Saying the LSU defense limited Marcel Reed is an understatement. This was a dominant performance from start to finish for Blake Baker's unit. Per GameOnPaper, A&M's EPA/play was -0.35 EPA/play, a third-percentile performance. Texas A&M's EPA/dropback was even worse, ranking in the first percentile.
LSU was active in the A&M backfield, generating seven tackles for loss and four sacks. As the LSU defense applied pressure, the Tigers picked off two passes. LSU's havoc rate of 22% ranked in the 93rd percentile.
This game was important to the LSU defense. Those who were on the roster last year remember what this A&M offense did in Baton Rouge. Baker and Co. had a chance to make a statement and did.
Jackson Harris stepped up at wide receiver
With Green out, LSU needed a pass catcher to step up. LSU wideout Jackson Harris led the Tigers with six catches for 163 yards, including two touchdowns. Harris was talked up throughout camp, but entering Week 4, we hadn't seen much production from the Hawai'i transfer. On Saturday, he showed up in a big way.
LSU needed a wide receiver on the outside to perform. Winston Watkins has been productive, but most of his work comes from the slot. A playmaker on the outside stresses the defense in new ways.
AS WIDE OPEN AS IT GETS 😲
— ESPN (@espn) September 27, 2026
Sam Leavitt with the 57-YD TD to Jackson Harris on 4th down to extend LSU's lead 🔥 pic.twitter.com/hGxZqt4S0v
Harris' best play was this contested catch he made in the end zone to put LSU up 14-3.
Oh. My.
— LSU Football (@LSUfootball) September 27, 2026
Leavitt to Harris
TOUCHDOWN TIGERS pic.twitter.com/fyhikYwIBu
The injuries keep piling up for LSU
The injury bug bit LSU in a bad way. Last week, LSU lost tight end Trey'Dez Green for an extended period and Da'Shawn Spears tore his ACL, ending his season. It didn't get better vs. Texas A&M. Star linebacker Whit Weeks was seen leaving the field wearing a walking boot and using crutches. That's usually not a good sign.
Green and Weeks are two of LSU's most impactful players. LSU spent money to retain both. If LSU has to enter the bulk of its SEC schedule without Green and Weeks, it could create trouble.
On the Weeks front, LSU's linebacker depth is strong with Davhon Keys stepping in, but Weeks is a real difference maker.
LSU jumps back in the playoff race
The pressure was on LSU after the Tigers lost at Ole Miss, but an emphatic win over a ranked team put LSU right back in the playoff race. Now, the Tigers are 3-1 and should be favored in every October game. The November schedule is a gauntlet, and LSU's game vs. Mississippi State looks harder now than it did at the begining of the year, but the Tigers look well positioned.
This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: Five takeaways from LSU football's win over Texas A&M
