Expectations for LSU Baseball are perfectly clear in USA Today Preseason Rankings

Don't look now, but the start of the 2026 LSU Baseball season is a little over a week away. The Tigers are set to open the new season on Friday, February 13 with a home tilt against Milwaukee at Alex Box Stadium, Skip Bertman Field.

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After winning National Championships in two of the last three seasons, expectations are sky high for the Tigers once again in 2026. The preseason accolades continue to roll in for Jay Johnson's squad, and expectations for the Tigers perfectly clear in USA Today's Preseason Rankings.

LSU Baseball earns No. 1 spot in USA Today Preseason Rankings

The USA Today Baseball Coaches Preseason Poll was released on Wednesday, and it's not surprising to see LSU claim the No. 1 spot. The Tigers have now earned Top-2 honors in four different preseason rankings over the last month. In January, LSU was ranked No. 1 by Perfect Game, No. 2 by D1 Baseball and No. 2 by Baseball America in their respective preseason polls.

Johnson received a much-deserved raise and contract extension over the offseason, officially making him the highest-paid coach in all of college baseball. Johnson boasts a stellar overall record of 190-77 (.712), which includes a 68-51 (.571) mark in SEC play. In addition to leading the program to a pair of national titles, Johnson has been named the National Coach of the Year in both 2023 and 2025.

Entering Year 5 in Baton Rouge, Johnson has the Tigers well-positioned for another title run. A total of 19 players return from last year's Championship team, with 20 talented newcomers joining the mix.

Along with the program receiving high praise as a whole, several players have earned individual preseason honors as well. Five freshman have been ranked among the Top 100 College Freshmen by Prep Baseball Report, and another six Tiger newcomers are featured on Baseball America's list of the Top 100 College Transfers.

USA Today Baseball Coaches Preseason Poll

1. LSU

2. UCLA

3. Texas

4. Georgia Tech

5. Arkansas

6. Mississippi State

7. Coastal Carolina

8. North Carolina

9. Auburn

10. TCU

11. Louisville

12. Oregon State

13. Georgia

14. Florida State

15. Tennessee

16. Florida

17. Clemson

18. Vanderbilt

19. North Carolina State

20. Southern Miss

21. Miami (FL)

22. Virginia

23. Oregon

24. Arizona

25. Wake Forest