Rob Gray-Imagn Images
By Hunt Palmer
This is going to be the best year yet.
Well, probably not. I watched 2019, and if this is better than that, I’ll need to watch it. Still, optimism is in excess supply in Baton Rouge with Lane Kiffin leading the LSU football program. LSU has been chasing something resembling 2019 for six years now, and nothing has come close. The 2022 team reached Atlanta but did so on the heels of an embarrassing loss to a bad Texas A&M team.
With the actual calendar, LSU’s football calendar flips tomorrow, and it’s full speed ahead on 2026. Over the next three weeks, the roster will turn over. More exits are coming, and a furious rush on additions is assured.
Some of these are predictions. Some are thoughts. It’s time for 2026.
1. LSU IS THE VILLAIN.
LSU has lived this life. The Will Wade era turned the Tigers into the villain. This won’t be much different. He didn’t break any rules (that we know of. Tampering?). Still, the prevailing national thought is that Kiffin should not have left a playoff team. I didn’t suggest Kiffin did the wrong thing. That’s subjective. But many in the national media think he did. And that shapes the narrative and creates the villain.
Tiger fans won’t care at all as long as the wins come. Just don’t expect a lot of warm, fuzzy columns, tweets and reports if and when they do.
2. WHIT WEEKS WILL RETURN AS TEAM CAPTAIN.
I sensed from Kiffin’s direct reference to Weeks on the Texas Bowl broadcast that he knows something. Of all the players Kiffin could coach, aside from his son, Weeks is the one he’ll have the best read on. I’m confident his daughter knows what Whit’s thinking.
Weeks entered 2025 on the surgical table and ended it battling a broken foot. Nothing went to plan. Weeks has a great relationship with Blake Baker and a younger brother still on campus. I think he’ll give it one more go in college.
3. BRENDAN SORSBY WILL BE A TIGER.
I think Trinidad Chambliss is Kiffin’s preference at quarterback. I also have no idea when the NCAA is going to rule on his eligibility. It’s possible that Kiffin knows more than we do, but he may not. And he can’t afford to sit on his hands. Plus, LSU has to add multiple quarterbacks.
Brendan Sorsby highlights for no reason whatsoever
pic.twitter.com/Dis4s1K6WH— Austin Brown (@Austin_Vols) December 5, 2025
I think Cincinnati’s Sorsby will be one of them. He threw for 2,800 yards and 27 touchdowns against just five interceptions this season and added 580 yards and nine touchdowns on the ground. He’ll be a fifth-year player, so I doubt he’s ready to sign on to be a backup, but I’m taking a swing here. His girlfriend heading to Texas Tech feels important, but we’re having some fun here.
3. BEST HOME SCHEDULE EVER.
If you’re a season ticket holder, congratulations. Years of having to spend on top of your tickets to go see LSU in Lambeau Field or AT&T Stadium or The Rose Bowl can be frustrating. This year, you get Clemson, Texas, Alabama and Texas A&M in Tiger Stadium.
I’m not going to check 101 years of Tiger Stadium schedules to see if that’s the best slate ever. I’m just going to declare it. Brutal schedules can interfere with championships, but the 2011 team navigated Oregon, West Virginia and Alabama away from home. It can be done. And this gauntlet is at home.
5. READY TO RUN.
Harlem Berry announced he’s coming back to Baton Rouge. I don’t think anyone would be stunned if Kewan Lacy ended up at LSU, too. Either way, Kiffin wants to run the ball and has done it exceptionally well at Ole Miss. All six of his teams finished in the top five in the SEC in rushing, and twice they led the conference.
I have no idea who is going to block, but money will be spent, and the scheme will allow for some rushing. Considering LSU has literally finished dead last in the SEC in rushing the last two years, bring it on.
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