Jan. 22, 2026, 7:47 a.m. CT

2026 will be Lane Kiffin’s first year as LSU football’s head coach, but LSU won’t be stuck in the rebuilding phase for long. According to BetMGM’s 2026-27 national championship odds, LSU is expected to contend for a national title this fall.

At +1500, only six teams have better odds to take home the trophy. Ohio State has the best shot, sitting at +600. The Buckeyes are followed by Notre Dame, Texas, and Oregon, all three at +700. LSU is tied at seven with Texas A&M, Texas Tech, and Alabama.

Two months ago, that may have come as a surprise. But since Kiffin’s arrival, the new staff put the finishing touches on a strong high school signing class, retained talented pieces from the 2025 squad, and struck gold in the transfer portal.

A lot will depend on what LSU gets from Arizona State transfer QB Sam Leavitt, the top-ranked QB in the transfer portal. If Leavitt lives up to that billing, he’ll excel in the Kiffin/Weis offense. If Leavitt isn’t 100%, then it could take LSU’s offense some time to get going. That’s not ideal for a tough September schedule.

There aren’t many concerns on the defensive side of the ball. LSU retained defensive coordinator Blake Baker and most of the defensive staff. That allowed LSU to hold on to key players like linebacker Whit Weeks and cornerback DJ Pickett. If this unit reaches its ceiling, it’s a top-five defense nationally.

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2026-27 College Football National Championship Betting Odds (BetMGM)

Expectations are always high at LSU — the story won’t be any different this fall.

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