ESPN names LSU football’s defining game of the 2026 season

LSU football has been the biggest name in college football this offseason. The Tigers signed the sport’s most controversial figure, Lane Kiffin, who turned around and brought in the top-ranked transfer portal class in the country. That portal haul is a key reason LSU is among the teams most likely to compete for a national championship in 2026, a point ESPN recognized in their article naming one game that will define each CFB team’s upcoming season.

Although the Tigers’ Week 3 contest against Ole Miss is one of the most highly anticipated games of the entire season, ESPN’s selection aligns more with the Tigers’ goals for the season than with the drama-filled side story. ESPN says LSU’s season-defining matchup is against Texas, which sits tied as the second-most likely national championship winner, according to BetMGM.

“Given where this game falls in the schedule — and the preseason CFP expectations for both teams — this could be the one that ultimately defines the season for the Tigers,” ESPN’s Andrea Adelson wrote regarding LSU's November matchup against the Longhorns.

Though the storyline between LSU and Ole Miss is undeniably interesting, LSU is — well, should be — more focused on winning a title than a game in September. Beating Ole Miss would certainly be a crucial step toward that goal, but the Tigers’ matchup against Texas will likely be their biggest test of the season, and will offer the most information about whether a championship is truly within reach in 2026.

This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: ESPN names LSU football’s defining game of the 2026 season