LSU was picked to finish fifth in the SEC in the Preseason Media Poll behind Georgia, Texas, Ole Miss and Texas A-and-M. Many national media members have said it’s national championship or bust for LSU and first-year head coach Lane Kiffin. Kiffin says those types of expectations are why he came to LSU.

Cut 12 (13) “…that does it.”

The Tigers have a tough nine-game SEC schedule for the first time ever this season. The conference added the game for its latest TV deal and to boost strength of schedule, but Kiffin said it will do more harm than good.

Cut 13 (11) “…anyone else.”

Georgia is the only team of the four voted ahead of LSU the Tigers do not play. They also have games against sixth-place Alabama and eighth-place Tennessee.

LSU landed nine players on the preseason All-SEC team, the third most of any school. Tight end Trey’Dez Green, tackle Jordan Seaton, edge rusher Princewill Umanmielen, linebacker Whit Weeks and punter Grant Chadwick are on the first team. Cornerback DJ Pickett and safety Ty Benefield made the second team, and center Braelin Moore and linebacker TJ Dottery are on the third team.

LeBron James is headed to the 76ers. James is signing a two-year, eight-million-dollar contract with a player option in what he called his “last decision.” The 41-year-old said he still wants to chase the feeling of winning another championship. His new home in the Eastern Conference means he will make only one trip to New Orleans in what could be his final season.

Former Cowboys quarterback and CBS analyst Tony Romo was arrested on suspicion of operating a vehicle while under the influence in Milwaukee. Romo performed poorly on a field sobriety test, was taken into custody, booked and released.

Four incoming LSU softball freshmen will compete in the 2026 Premier Girls Fastpitch All-American Game. The future Tigers are pitchers Addie Rackley and Ayla Tuua, catcher Karmen Vazquez and outfielder Sydnee Williams.

LSU helped wrap up SEC Media Days in Tampa yesterday. Senior linebacker Whit Weeks could have gone to the NFL Draft after an injury-riddled 2025. Instead, he decided to come back to lead coordinator Blake Baker’s defense back to dominance.

Cut 13 (08)  “…to Baton Rouge.”

Weeks will have a new partner in the middle of the defense to help with that goal. Linebacker TJ Dottery led the SEC with 98 tackles at Ole Miss last season and followed Lane Kiffin to Baton Rouge. Weeks said he loves playing alongside him.

Cut 15 (12) “…to play with.”

LSU kicks off the season at home September 5^th against Clemson.

LSU hosts Texas November 14th. It will be the first meeting between the schools since the Tigers’ 45-38 win in Austin in 2019. The Longhorns were supposed to make a return trip as part of that series, but it was postponed by COVID and their move to the SEC. Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning says he’s looking forward to playing in Death Valley.

Cut 17 (07) “…so we’re excited.”

If you want a chance to meet Lane Kiffin and the Tigers before the season starts, NILSU Max is hosting a football meet-and-greet on August 8th. General Admission is 30-dollars for adults and 10-dollars for kids 5-and-under. VIP tickets are 100-dollars and include early access to the event and a picture with Kiffin.

Louisiana Tech will compete in the Round Rock College Baseball Classic with Alabama, Texas Tech and Texas State. The three-day event is scheduled to begin February 26th at Dell Diamond, the home of the Triple-A Round Rock Express.

LSU football coach Lane Kiffin spoke at the final day of SEC Media Days today. He said he built his roster to win now and in the future, and he came to LSU to combine the best portal classes with the nation’s top freshmen talents.

Cut 19 (17) “…that combination.”

Kiffin dodged having to field many questions about his messy exit from Ole Miss with a 16-minute opening statement. Yesterday, Rebels coach Pete Golding compared the Kiffin situation to having an ex-girlfriend.

Cut 14 (13) “…to a certain degree.”

The Tigers play the Rebels in Oxford September 19.

Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian and Lane Kiffin coached together at USC and Alabama. Sarkisian says Kiffin is a really good, creative coach who’s found success wherever he goes

Cut 20 (15) “…that he’s on.”

Sark and the Longhorns will visit Kiffin in Baton Rouge November 14. It is the first meeting between the two schools since the Tigers beat the Longhorns in Austin in 2019.

LSU hosts Mississippi State on October 17th. Bulldogs coach Jeff Lebby says he’s excited to head to Tiger Stadium.

Cut 21 (16) “…it’s special.”

Lane Kiffin took the stage at SEC Media Days as a Tiger for the first time this morning. Kiffin welcomed the top-rated transfer class of 41 players as well as the 11^th-ranked recruiting class. He said the combination of his staff and the draw of LSU will be special, and it’s more than enough proof of why he came to Baton Rouge.

Cut 20 (13) “…and LSU.”

He reflected on his growth as a person since arriving at LSU. He said one of the ways he’s grown is his social media use. His son Knox challenged him not to use the apps. Kiffin said he has since deleted them and realized how many others are addicted.

Cut 6 (09) “…try this sometime.”

LSU hosts Texas A-and-M September 26th. Texas A-and-M quarterback Marcel Reed was a problem for LSU last year with 202 yards in the air, 108 yards on the ground and four total touchdowns in a 49-25 second-half blowout. Head coach Mike Elko says the Aggies just need him to play like that consistently.

Cut 15 (16) “…really high ceiling.”

Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer is entering his third year in Tuscaloosa. He led the Crimson Tide to a College Football Playoff win last year, but he says he knows at Alabama, his success is measured by national championships.

Cut 17 (13) “…everyone around me.”

LSU is canceling a home-and-home series against Arizona State in 2029 and 2030. The two were scheduled to square off after years of postponement, going back to Hurricane Katrina, but the Tigers have decided to drop the series as they adjust future schedules for a nine-game conference slate.

SEC teams will play their first nine-game conference schedule this year, the most ever in a single season. At SEC Football Media Days today, Commissioner Greg Sankey said the conference is the best in the nation with the toughest schedule, but the College Football Playoff Committee has not pledged to reward the challenge of an extra game.

Cut 7 (11) “…about that reality.”

Sankey also said the future of the SEC championship could be in doubt after this year.

Cut 8 (08) “…College Football Playoff.”

First-year Kentucky head coach Will Stein named former LSU offensive coordinator Joe Sloan to the same role on his new staff. The Tigers will face Sloan and the Wildcats October 10 in Lexington. Stein has high praise after a short time with his new coordinator.

Cut 21 (19) “…impressed with.”

Stein says Sloan will handle play-calling duties on Saturdays.

Former LSU receiver and Westgate High School alum Kayshon Boutte hosted a free youth football camp in his hometown of New Iberia yesterday. Boutte said he wants to prioritize giving back to his community and plans to make the camp an annual event. Now an NFL, wideout, Boutte has spent three seasons with the Patriots and helped New England to a Super Bowl appearance this year with over 500 receiving yards and six touchdowns.