Predictions come easier with track records.
LSU head coach Lane Kiffin and offensive coordinator Charlie Weis have theirs. So does defensive coordinator Blake Baker. Many of these transfers have proverbial skins on the wall, but they haven’t played together.
All I’m saying is that it makes my job tougher. I’d ask for lenience, but I know I’m not going to get it. You can decide for yourself how bold these predictions are. I find them to be reasonably so.
We’re finally seven days from kickoff. Here’s what I see coming.
BROWN IS BUSY
I’ve settled on Jayce Brown, Jackson Harris, Winnie Watkins and Tre Wilson as the top four receivers. That’s not super bold. I do think Brown leads this team in receptions. That’s the pick. He’s not 6-foot-4. He doesn’t run 4.3. He’s not going to wow anyone with his vertical leap or go in the first round.
Brown knows how to run routes and get open. He’s also a real threat when he gets into the open field. Folks in the Big 12 Conference found that out quickly. He had seven 40-plus yard catches as a sophomore. That was fourth nationally. He made 34 catches of 20-plus yards as a Wildcat.
Kiffin and Weis are going to use him in the jet sweep game a lot. That’s going to add a couple of catches per game on the pop pass.
Brown leads this group in catches. That’s the pick.
TOP FIVE FINISH
I trust this coaching staff.
The players appear to be good on paper. I think it’s a strong team. Weis, Kiffin and Baker are proven commodities in the SEC.
I think LSU finishes in the top five in the SEC in total offense and total defense. Only Texas A&M did that last year, and the Aggies were fifth in both.
Ole Miss led the SEC in total offense in three of the last five years and finished in the top five in all five. Baker inherited the 13th-ranked defense in a 14-team SEC. He improved it to 11th in 2024 and 6th in 2025. He just needs to up that by one to meet my criteria.
Ole Miss, Texas and Tennessee pulled this off in 2024, and all two of the three made the playoffs. Ole Miss was the exception. If LSU can do it this year, the Tigers’ chances of getting in the Top 12 improve drastically.
FIRST TEAM TIGERS
First-team All-Americans don’t come around too often. Jayden Daniels, Malik Nabers and Will Campbell were the only three in the Brian Kelly era.
I think LSU has one on both sides of the ball this year: Trey’Dez Green and Ty Benefield.
Green put up LSU record-setting numbers in an abysmal offense last year. His seven touchdowns as a sophomore were the most in LSU history by a tight end. He’ll top that number this season and earn his recognition as the best tight end in the country.
Benefield is not a household name. He may become one. I think he’s going to make a ton of tackles, though not as many as a healthy Whit Weeks. He’s also going to pick of a handful of passes. He was a ballhawk at Boise State, and that’s going to continue at LSU.
There may not be a better safety in college football than Benefield. He’ll prove that in a stellar season this fall.
