LSU football fell to Texas on Saturday night as the Longhorns dealt a final blow to LSU's College Football Playoff hopes. LSU controlled the game for most of the night and led until the final seconds, when Arch Manning found Texas RB Raleek Brown on a swing route for a go-ahead touchdown.
With the loss, LSU falls to 6-4. All four of LSU's losses have come to ranked teams. LSU has handled unranked opponents with ease, but LSU's 2026 season will be defined by LSU's inability to close out quality opponents. LSU had chances to win in all four of its losses, but just couldn't make the clutch plays.
Given LSU's expectations, this season is a disappointment. LSU spent a lot on this roster and expected to compete for the College Football Playoff. LSU has
two games left on the schedule, both on the road, at Tennessee and at Arkansas.
Here are five takeaways from LSU's loss to Texas.
Turnover issues persist for LSU QB Sam Leavitt
LSU QB Sam Leavitt threw three more picks vs. Texas, bringing his season interception total to 12. All three were Leavitt's fault, and all three fell to Texas' Jelani McDonald.
The first one came when Leavitt tried to attack the middle of the field on a long throw to Trey'Dez Green. Texas showed a split safety look, but post-snap movement closed the window. The ball was tipped and picked off.
The other two came with Leavitt taking shots to the red zone. On both plays, Leavitt stared down a WR and the Texas secondary knew where the ball was going.
Turnovers have been an issue for Leavitt all season. LSU puts up yards just about every week, but it's hard for the offense to be consistent when it turns the ball over at this rate.
Poor special teams and punting hurt LSU
LSU punter Grant Chadwick was first-team preseason All-SEC. He's fallen short of those expectations, and his outing vs. Texas was his worst of the season.
Chadwick punted four times Saturday night, averaging just 37.3 yards per punt. That's six yards below the SEC average of 43.9. It was bad enough to draw criticism from play-by-play man Chris Fowler, who compared Chadwick's work to something you would see in a high school game.
All four of Chadwick's punts came in the fourth quarter, resulting in -0.87 EPA. Meanwhile, Texas' punting unit posted +0.78 EPA. LSU's final punt was the most damaging. Late in the fourth quarter, Chadwick's punt went just 32 yards and set Texas up with prime field position on its game-winning drive.
LSU's special teams have been poor the last two weeks, and it's cost the Tigers. LSU missed a field goal right before the half, missing a chance to win the middle eight. In Week 10, LSU surrendered a big punt return that put the Alabama offense in position to put the game away.
LSU's red zone woes continued
Again, LSU had multiple possessions where they had chances to add points but came up empty. Two of Leavitt's interceptions came in the end zone when LSU was in prime scoring territory. Before the half, LSU drove the length of the field, only to miss a field goal.
LSU can't keep leaving points on the table. If LSU scores in these situations, this game probably ends differently. A few red-zone plays can define a game.
This hurt LSU against Ole Miss, Kentucky, and Alabama. The margin for error is slim in the SEC, and offenses only get so many chances to score points. LSU can't afford to keep coming away empty. Given how prolific LSU's offense is before it reaches the red zone, the constant red zone letdowns are perplexing.
Ty Benefield played like a star
LSU safety Ty Benefield made his All-American case on Saturday night. Benefield picked off Arch Manning twice, both times after LSU had turned it over on the previous possession. When LSU gave it away, Benefield took it right back.
Benefield's first pick was critical. Playing deep safety, he broke on the ball, picked it off, and ran it back inside the Texas 10. LSU's offense found the end zone a few plays later. Benefield's second pick set up another touchdown drive.
Benefield was elite in coverage and was effective at stopping the run in the box, too. Early in the fourth quarter, Benefield was sent on a blitz and logged a sack for the second straight week.Benefield was forced to take on a new role when he moved to the STAR position after DaShawn Spears tore his ACL. Benefield's skill set has been perfect for the role, and he's emerged as one of the SEC's top defenders.
Steve Sarkisian got the best of LSU when it mattered
LSU's defense played well on Saturday night. Princewill Umanmielen and Jordan Ross lived in the backfield, and the unit forced three picks.
But when it mattered at the end of the game, Steve Sarkisian and the Texas offense got the best of the LSU defense.
In the final second, a running back motion outleveraged the LSU defense, putting Raleek Brown one-on-one with LSU LB Davhon Keys in space. Manning flipped the ball out wide and Texas scored with ease.
This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: Five takeaways from LSU football's loss to Texas
