A New Dynasty in Death Valley? Kiffin’s Takeover demands Playoff Run
LSU is entering a defining chapter of its own. Coming off a high-powered campaign, head coach Lane Kiffin steps into Baton Rouge with his sights set far beyond just making a bowl game. He is looking to contend for the SEC Championship and win a national title in Year 1. With new offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. bringing over an explosive passing scheme and defensive coordinator Blake Baker maintaining an aggressive defensive front, the LSU Tigers will be looking to keep playing deep into January.
A Talented but Erratic Quarterback
Starting at QB will be Arizona State transfer Sam Leavitt. Watching the film, he can be a bit hectic when it comes to passing. His vision isn't as sharp as some of the other quarterbacks in this class, and he occasionally forces throws that aren't there. He has all the intangibles of a good QB, with strong arm talent and the ability to improvise, but his decision making has to improve if LSU wants to compete in the SEC. When under pressure, Leavitt, in a limited sample due to a foot injury, ranked first in the country in big-time throw percentage at 15.3 percent, but ranked 97th in completion percentage at 42.3 percent.
A Deep and Explosive Backfield
Caden Durham (4.5 yards per carry), Harlem Berry (4.7 yards per carry), and Dillon Jones (3.9 yards per carry) round out this LSU group. This is a quality room, and it should be one of, if not the best, offensive backfields in the nation. Both Durham and Berry posted a 3.5-plus yards created per attempt last season on fewer than 120 carries apiece, and both bring excellent vision and contact balance to the table.
An Explosive Receiving Corps
The wide receiver and tight end group might be one of the most explosive units in all of college football. Old Dominion transfer Tre' Brown III (762 yards, 20.1 yards per reception) and Hawaii transfer Jackson Harris (963 yards, 12 touchdowns, 19.7 yards per reception) bring unmatched deep-threat ability. Add in Kansas State transfer Jayce Brown (712 yards, five touchdowns, 17.4 yards per reception) and Florida transfer Eugene Wilson III, and this receiving corps is lethal. At tight end, 6-foot-7 junior Trey'Dez Green (433 yards, seven touchdowns) gives Weis Jr. a dominant red-zone mismatch.
An Offensive Line With One Real Question Mark
The offensive line group should be solid overall. Jordan Seaton (328 snaps, seven pressures allowed, two sacks allowed), Aliou Bah (470 snaps, 15 pressures allowed, zero sacks allowed), and Braelin Moore (394 snaps, seven pressures allowed, one sack allowed) form a steady core. The concern on this line sits at left guard and right tackle. Weston Davis allowed 33 pressures and four sacks last season, while Bo Bordelon played just seven snaps. If those two can gel alongside Seaton and Bah, this line has a chance to be genuinely dominant.
A Loaded Defensive Front
This defensive line group should be very solid. Ole Miss edge transfer Princewill Umanmielen leads the charge after posting 13 tackles for loss, nine sacks, and 13 quarterback hurries last season. Tennessee edge transfer Jordan Ross (two sacks) and Auburn defensive tackle transfer Malik Blocton (five tackles for loss, 413 snaps) supply heavy rotation up front. LSU also has two promising young pieces in Deuce Geralds and Lamar Brown, both of whom have been camp standouts. The bigger question is whether Clemson defensive tackle transfer Stephiylan Green can turn his promising 291-snap, three-sack sample into high-end production for Blake Baker's front.
Linebackers Built Around Two Proven Veterans
The linebacker group should be good. Ole Miss transfer TJ Dottery leads the unit after a massive 98-tackle, six-tackle-for-loss season on 958 snaps, while senior Whit Weeks brings elite run defense with 27 tackles and two sacks. Davhon Keys (89 tackles, 572 snaps) provides steady starting reps. If anyone is going to make this middle core shine, it's Dottery and Weeks operating behind an athletic front four.
A Top-Tier Secondary
The secondary should be a genuine strength. Sophomore five-star corner DJ Pickett leads the outside cornerbacks with three interceptions and three pass breakups. PJ Woodland (38 tackles, two interceptions, eight pass breakups) and Southern transfer Treylan James (648 snaps) provide deep rotational coverage. At safety, Boise State transfer Ty Benefield is an absolute wildcard after logging 105 tackles and two interceptions last season, alongside Tamarcus Cooley (70 tackles, two interceptions) and Dashawn Spears.
Schedule Gauntlet and Final Prediction
With an elite portal haul, Kiffin's coaching staff, and high-end talent across every position group, the LSU Tigers are built to compete deep into December. Looking at the schedule, they should start 2-0 before traveling to face Ole Miss. That's a toss-up game, but Ole Miss should have the edge, dropping LSU to 2-1. LSU rebounds to beat Texas A&M, and could likely be 7-1 heading into its bye week. The final four-game stretch brings Alabama, Texas, Tennessee, and Arkansas. I expect a 3-1 finish, closing the regular season at 10-2 and what should be a likely CFP bid.
