One of the most sought-after names for a number of prestigious coaching posts was Lane Kiffin, head coach of the LSU Tigers.
During the past six seasons, Kiffin guided the Ole Miss Rebels as their head coach, amassing a 55-19 record. He led the team to win double-digit games in four of the previous five seasons during his time as coach. Notably, in 2025, despite having accepted a job at LSU, he led Ole Miss to its first College Football Playoff appearance in program history.
There is great hope that Kiffin may change things in Baton Rouge and bring the Tigers back to the playoffs for the first time since 2019. However, the former Georgia Bulldogs All-American said in his “See Ball Get Ball with David Pollack” podcast that he is less optimistic about LSU’s chances this year.
“I’m not sure of what LSU is going to be,” Pollack stated. “I know they’re going to improve. I have no idea whether they will be excellent.
Pollack’s remarks have a moderating impact on what we anticipate from LSU in 2026. After six successful seasons at Ole Miss, Kiffin arrives in Baton Rouge with a lot of momentum. That resume obviously supports the notion that he can bring LSU back into the national competition.
From a broader perspective, however, transitions at big programs are seldom smooth. In the SEC, even proven offensive minds must adapt to new rosters, personnel dynamics, and increased expectations. The possibility of LSU is not rejected by Pollack’s skepticism; rather, it just mirrors the ambiguity that comes with any coaching transition.
The future course of LSU will be determined by how soon Kiffin is able to create a sense of continuity and identity inside the program. Given his past record, progress seems probable, but moving from “better” to “great” and great to playoff-bound necessitates consistency against top-tier opponents. It may be prudent to maintain cautious optimism until the Tigers demonstrate it on the field.
