Why is LSU Still Ranked?

It appears that there is a weekly AP Top 25 ranking that doesn’t make any sense. This week, LSU steps into the spotlight. The Tigers dropped a dozen spots from No. 10 to No. 22 after suffering an overtime loss at Kentucky. The loss moved them to 4-2 on the season and 1-2 in the SEC.

If the polls were truly a reflection of what happens on the field rather than a popularity contest, LSU would be unranked. Tigers fans will point to their two losses and call them “unfortunate” or “close battles” against tough opponents. They lost an eight-point game to Ole Miss in September, and now they have a one-point overtime loss to Kentucky on their resume. But losing to a heated rival and a 10.5-point underdog shouldn’t be seen as a positive.

The AP Poll is supposed to evaluate what teams accomplished on the field, not who voters think is more talented on paper. LSU entered the 2026 FBS season with massive expectations after hiring Lane Kiffin and then securing the nation’s top transfer portal class. They have five-star high school and portal talent overflowing throughout their roster.

But college football history is littered with expensive talent that fails to gel. LSU’s resume lacks a defining win. Their biggest victories are an opening-week blowout of a struggling Clemson team and a home win against Texas A&M, which is now 1-3 in the SEC. Beyond that, they have padded their record against Louisiana Tech and McNeese State.

If a team from any of the other P4 conferences with an identical resume – four wins over unranked teams, two losses, and a sub-.500 conference record was in the Top 25 – the national media would revolt. Yet, because the Tigers are in the SEC, they receive the benefit of the doubt.

With games remaining against No. 6 Alabama, No. 7 Texas, No. 14 Tennessee and No. 16 Mississippi State, there is plenty of opportunity for the Tigers to reach that potential. If they do, then they deserve to be in the Top 25, but for now it is completely unwarranted.  

Lane Kiffin himself noted that “if you don’t do fundamentally sound stuff, you get exposed versus good teams.” If the head coach can acknowledge this, it’s time for the AP voters to do the same. LSU hasn’t earned a ranking. Until they win a tough game and dig themselves out of the bottom half of the SEC standings, they belong on the outside looking in.