The LSU Tigers will open up the season ranked No. 12 in the Preseason AFCA Coaches Poll.
Brian Kelly’s squad is coming off a 10-3 season and a victory over Wisconsin in the ReliaQuest Bowl. LSU closed out last season winning four straight and seven of its last eight games. In his first two seasons at the helm in Baton Rouge, Kelly has guided LSU to 20 wins, a pair of bowl victories, and the SEC Western Division title in his first season in 2022.
For the second consecutive year, and the 23rd time in the past 24 years, LSU opens the season ranked in the Top 25. Last year, the Tigers were No. 5 in the preseason AFCA Coaches Poll.
LSU’s season-opening opponent, the University of Southern California, is ranked No. 23. The Trojans posted an 8-5 record a year ago. It will mark the first meeting between LSU and USC since 1984 when the Tigers posted a 23-3 win over the Trojans in Los Angeles.
LSU welcomes three preseason Top 25 teams to Tiger Stadium in 2024 as the Tigers host No. 5 Alabama, No. 6 Ole Miss and No. 16 Oklahoma. Texas A&M, ranked No. 20, is the other preseason Top 25 team on LSU’s schedule.
In all, nine of the 16 SEC teams are in the Top 25 led by Georgia at No. 1, followed by Texas at No. 4. Other SEC teams in the Top 25 include Missouri at No. 11 and Tennessee at No. 15.
LSU football broadcasts can be heard live on ESPN 103.7 Lafayette and 104.1 Lake Charles — Southwest Louisiana’s Sports Station.