​Let’s get there faster when it comes to the expectations for Lane Kiffin at LSU.This might be the diet version of Nick Saban taking over Alabama in 2007.And yes, it’s absolutely 100% fair to put those unrealistic expectations on this hire.LSU is a national championship-or-bust program. You don’t get to be the head coach in Baton Rouge unless you expect to win national titles – plural.And if you’re LSU, you don’t get a head coach like Kiffin without demanding anything less than an era of total dominance.Dec 1, 2025; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU new head coach Lane Kiffin speaks at South Stadium Club at Tiger Stadium.© Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images(© Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images)Now with Lane Kiffin, LSU comes into the 2026 college football season as a true favorite to win the SEC Championship and be a factor in the College Football Playoff. You think that’s all too hyperbolic? You think there needs to be some roll slowing here? Nah – if anything, Kiffin going to LSU is being undersold.Seriously, do you really realize what Kiffin has done so far? Kiffin made Ole Miss – Ole Miss – a national title contender.Florida Atlantic had five seasons with threes or fewer in the six years before Kiffin came in, and he led the program to two 11-3 seasons in three years. The Owls haven’t won more than five games in any of the six years since he left.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHe was the coach at USC when the Reggie Bush NCAA penalties kicked in, and he still put up a ten-win season. His one season at Tennessee was the lone winning campaign in a six-year span. And now, Lane Kiffin has everything.He can get anyone he wants in the transfer portal, the parts are there to take the systems that worked everywhere else to a whole other level, and …Here we go, America. One way or another, this is about to be one fun ride.- 2026 LSU Schedule AnalysisHead Coach: Lane Kiffin (1st year at LSU, 15th year overall: 116-53)Best Case / Worst Case: Win the national title/A rebuild of a season and a mediocre bowl appearanceKey Player: Jordan Seaton, OT Jr.2025 Record: 7-6Biggest Question: Can LSU put all the talent together right away to be a national title contender?Rushing Yards: Opponents 1,613, LSU 1,352Sacks: Opponents 29 for 224 yards, LSU 27 for 209 yardsPenalties: Opponents 91 for 773 yards, LSU 91 for 771 yardsThere’s help from co-offensive coordinator Joe Cox, but this is Lane Kiffin’s offense.Last year’s LSU team couldn’t run, couldn’t move the chains, and averaged just 333.5 yards and 22.8 points per game. Meanwhile, Kiffin’s Ole Miss offense was No. 2 in the nation averaging 490 yards and 37 points per outing.With the pieces brought in through the portal, LSU’s offense is about to change fast.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementIt’s Lane Kiffin. He collects quarterbacks, and he has three amazing ones in an almost perfect situation.Sam Leavitt (Arizona State) was one of the best quarterbacks in the portal, and as long as his foot is fine after missing ha