LSU Tigers and Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns will enter the 2021 season ranked in the Top 25 as the Tigers come in at No. 13 and the Cajuns come in at No. 23 in the USA Today Preseason Coaches Poll.
It’s the 21st consecutive season the Tigers start the year ranked in the Top 25, a streak that dates back to 2001. LSU opens the year on September 4 against UCLA at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.
LSU is one of six Southeastern Conference teams in the USA Today Preseason Top 25, joining No. 1 Alabama, No. 5 Georgia, No. 6 Texas A&M, No. 11 Florida, and No. 25 Ole Miss. LSU hosts both Texas A&M and Florida in Tiger Stadium this year.
The ranking marks the first time in program history that the team has been ranked in a major preseason poll. Louisiana is the highest ranked Sun Belt Conference school and the second-highest ranked Group of 5 program in the poll behind Cincinnati, who checked in at No. 10.
After receiving three votes in last year’s preseason poll, the Ragin’ Cajuns went on to finish the 2020 campaign ranked No. 16 in the nation after compiling a 10-1 overall record and a 7-1 mark in Sun Belt play.
The team broke into the national rankings following a huge Week 1 victory, upsetting then No. 23 Iowa State, 31-14, in Ames on Sept. 12.
USA TODAY Sports AFCA Coaches Poll
Rank, Team (First-Place Votes), Points
1, Alabama (63), 1621
2, Clemson, 1508
3, Oklahoma (2), 1481
4, Ohio State, 1435
5, Georgia, 1386
6, Texas A&M, 1286
7, Notre Dame, 1139
8, Iowa State, 1131
9, North Carolina, 999
10, Cincinnati, 979
11, Florida, 870
12, Oregon, 842
13, LSU, 664
14, USC, 655
15, Wisconsin, 654
16, Miami, 575
17, Indiana, 573
18, Iowa, 554
19, Texas, 427
20, Penn State, 422
21, Washington, 404
22, Oklahoma State, 216
23, UL, 153
24, Coastal Carolina, 150
25, Ole Miss, 149
Others Receiving Votes
Utah 145; Northwestern 120; Arizona State 90; Auburn 84; Liberty 68; Brigham Young 53; Texas Christian 48; Michigan 30; Central Florida 29; NC State 27; Boise State 27; Kentucky 20; San Jose State 18; Army 13; Virginia Tech 9; Missouri 8; UCLA 7; Tulsa 6; Pittsburgh 6; Boston College 6; Houston 5; Ball State 5; West Virginia 4; Southern Methodist 4; Appalachian State 4; UAB 3; Arkansas 3; Nevada 2; Mississippi State 2; Air Force 2; Stanford 1; Marshall 1; Florida State 1; California 1.