The first College Football Playoff rankings of the year will be released on Tuesday night. LSU football and Lane Kiffin are expected to be included.
The range of possibilities for LSU is wide. The resume isn't that impressive—the Tigers lack a signature win and have lost to the two best teams they've played. At the same time, LSU is 6-2 without any bad losses, and advanced metrics love the Tigers. Kiffin and Co. are No. 4 in the national championship betting odds
However, the committee won't be looking at betting odds. On-field results carry the weight. And while LSU lacks the bullet-point win, the games LSU has won, it's won in dominant fashion. What does all of this mean for LSU's spot in the first CFP rankings of 2026?
Predicting LSU football's College Football Playoff ranking
LSU football is No. 15
in the AP Poll. I think the Tigers will land in the exact same spot in the CFP rankings. In the CFP era, 11 teams have had similar resumes to this LSU team ahead of the first rankings, including LSU in 2016. The 2016 LSU team was ranked No. 13 in the initial rankings. At the same time, 2025 Missouri had a similar resume and was ranked No. 22 last year.
In total, seven teams have had a resume close to 2026 LSU at this point in the season.
It's pretty safe to say LSU will be between No. 13 and No. 22. I don't see the committee putting LSU on the lower end of that spectrum given how dominant the Tigers can be at times, and given the losses are both to good teams on the road.
Prediction: LSU football will rank No. 15 in the first College Football Playoff rankings of 2025.
When are the first College Football Rankings revealed?
The initial College Football Playoff rankings of 2026 are unveiled on Tuesday, Nov. 3. The rankings show is slated for 6 p.m. CT on ESPN.
This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: Prediction LSU football's first College Football Playoff ranking
