On Saturday afternoon, the Alabama Crimson Tide will travel to Baton Rouge for an important game against the LSU Tigers.

Essentially a must-win for both when it comes to potentially making the College Football Playoff (CFP), Alabama has won the last three games played against LSU since 2023. One of those was a memorable 42-13 rout of the Tigers in Baton Rouge back in Kalen DeBoer's first season, with the Alabama head coach entering this game 2-0 against LSU head-to-head.

This latest showdown will look a bit different though as former Alabama offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin is now the head coach at LSU. Kiffin is leading a near complete new-look LSU roster compared to what Alabama defeated last season in Tuscaloosa, a team headlined by a number of impact transfer portal additions.

Here is everything you need to know about LSU ahead of Saturday's matchup between the Crimson Tide and Tigers in Baton Rouge.

LSU Tigers 2026 overview

• Ranking: No. 14 in CFP Rankings, No. 15 in US LBM Coaches Poll, No. 15 in AP Poll

LSU will take the field at Tiger Stadium on Saturday afternoon as a consensus top 15 team nationally, one which was ranked No. 14 in this past Tuesday night's initial CFP rankings. The Tigers' record sits at 6-2 overall (3-2 SEC) with a resume headlined by wins over Mississippi State and Auburn, while their two losses came on the road at Ole Miss and Kentucky.

LSU Tigers 2026 coaching staff

Lane Kiffin is in his first season as the head coach at LSU after making the move to Baton Rouge late last year after six seasons at Ole Miss. Charlie Weis Jr. is also in his first season as LSU's offensive coordinator after also making the move from Ole Miss, while Blake Baker is one of the top defensive coordinators in college football, currently in his third year with the Tigers. Former Alabama offensive line coach Eric Wolford is also on LSU's staff in the same role.

LSU Tigers 2026 offensive stats

LSU's offense enters Saturday ranking No. 7 in the nation with an average of 40.1 points per game, a number which also ranks second in the SEC. The Tigers also rank atop the SEC in total and passing yards per game, while also No. 4 in the conference in rushing.

LSU Tigers 2026 defensive stats

The LSU defense ranks No. 16 in the nation by allowing only 16 points per game to opponents, a number that ranks second-fewest in the SEC. LSU is also giving up the SEC's fewest total and rushing yards per game to opponents, as well as the third-fewest through the passing game. The Tigers also rank No. 2 nationally in total sacks so far this season with 34.

LSU Tigers 2026 offensive players to know

LSU's offense is headlined by transfer dual-threat quarterback Sam Leavitt, as well as other impact transfers at the skill positions such as Jackson Harris, Dilin Jones, and Winston Watkins Jr., the former of which is the SEC's leader with seven receiving touchdowns. Jordan Seaton, an offensive tackle, was also a prominent offseason addition via the portal, while tight end Trey'Dez Green is one of the nation's most talented pass catching tight ends.

LSU Tigers 2026 defensive players to know

LSU's defense is led by one of the SEC's top pass rushers in Princewill Umanmielen, who leads a talented defensive front for the Tigers alongside others such as Jordan Ross and Deuce Geralds, each of which are new to the program this season. TJ Dottery, a linebacker, is also a transfer addition who leads the Tigers defense in tackles with 60 total.