The Lane Kiffin era at LSU opens with arguably the best home schedule in Tiger Stadium history: Clemson in the September 5 opener, then Alabama and Texas in back-to-back November weeks in Death Valley. And sandwiched in between is the game the whole SEC circled the moment Kiffin left Oxford — a Week 3 trip to Ole Miss, his first time back since taking the LSU job.
Kickoff times for most SEC games are announced 6-12 days out, so check back weekly — this page is updated as times, networks, and results come in.
2026 Team Schedule
LSU Tigers Football Schedule
SEC · Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge · Lane Kiffin, Year 1
Preseason AP Rank
No. 11
Kiffin’s debut season
Home Games
7
Clemson, Bama, Texas all visit
Season Opener
Sept 5
vs Clemson, 7:30 PM ET
Circle It
Sept 19
Kiffin returns to Oxford
Full 2026 LSU Football Schedule
| Date |
Opponent |
Time (ET) / TV |
Result |
| Sat, Sept 5 |
vs Clemson |
7:30 PM |
— |
| Sat, Sept 12 |
vs Louisiana Tech |
TBA |
— |
| Sat, Sept 19 |
at Ole Miss |
TBA |
— |
| Sat, Sept 26 |
vs Texas A&M |
TBA |
— |
| Sat, Oct 3 |
vs McNeese |
TBA |
— |
| Sat, Oct 10 |
at Kentucky |
TBA |
— |
| Sat, Oct 17 |
vs Mississippi State |
TBA |
— |
| Sat, Oct 24 |
at Auburn |
TBA |
— |
| Sat, Oct 31 |
Bye week |
— |
— |
| Sat, Nov 7 |
vs Alabama |
TBA |
— |
| Sat, Nov 14 |
vs Texas |
TBA |
— |
| Sat, Nov 21 |
at Tennessee |
TBA |
— |
| Sat, Nov 28 |
at Arkansas |
TBA |
— |
Games That Will Decide LSU’s Season
| Game |
Date |
Why It Matters |
| vs Clemson |
Sept 5 |
A top-tier opener in Death Valley — the return leg of LSU’s 2025 win at Clemson |
| at Ole Miss |
Sept 19 |
Kiffin walks back into Vaught-Hemingway — the most anticipated game of the SEC year |
| vs Alabama |
Nov 7 |
The rivalry night game in Baton Rouge, fresh off the bye |
| vs Texas |
Nov 14 |
Texas’s first game at Tiger Stadium since 1953 |
Fast Fact
The September 19 trip to Oxford is the earliest LSU-Ole Miss meeting in the history of the series.
Fast Fact
Under the SEC’s new nine-game format, LSU’s locked annual opponents are Arkansas, Ole Miss, and Texas A&M.
Fast Fact
The bye lands October 31 — perfectly placed before the Alabama-Texas double at home.
How the Schedule Sets Up
Seven home games, and the three biggest — Clemson, Alabama, Texas — all in Death Valley. The road tests are real (Oxford, Auburn, Knoxville, Fayetteville) but manageable, and the bye sits exactly where Kiffin would want it. Survive September at 3-1 or better and the November home stand becomes a playoff launching pad. You can follow every week of the season on our college football games this Saturday tracker, with the FBS season structure governed by the NCAA.
The Bottom Line
New coach, loaded home slate, and a September grudge match that will set the tone for everything after it. If Kiffin’s first LSU team is as good as the roster suggests, this schedule is built for a run. Bookmark this page — times, networks, and results are updated throughout the season.
