According to the first AP Top 25 Poll of the season, LSU enters 2025 as the No. 9 team in the country. The Tigers were also ranked No. 9 in the preseason coaches poll, which was released on August 4. Both polls ranking the Tigers in the top-10 signals high expectations for Brian Kelly's team in 2025.
But, how soon can the Tigers move up in the polls? How early can they crack the top five of the AP Poll? The answer is very quickly.
Can a win at Clemson put LSU in the top five after one game?
LSU can make a massive statement early on in 2025. The Tigers hit the road to battle No. 4 Clemson in Week 1 on Aug. 30 to open the new season. That gives LSU the opportunity to grab a top five road win before the calendar turns to September. If that happens, LSU has a chance to appear in the top five of the AP Poll after just one game. It would be tricky, as they might need some help, but it's certainly within the realm of possibility.
Two other top-10 matchups will be played on the same day: No. 1 Texas at No. 3 Ohio State and No. 6 Notre Dame at No. 10 Miami. If LSU beats Clemson and Miami beats Notre Dame, LSU will surely jump both Clemson and Notre Dame in the rankings. That gets them closer to the top five.
But, even after picking up a victory at Clemson, there is a possibility that the Tigers could still be on the outside looking in. That would certainly be debatable, especially when oddsmakers are favoring Clemson by four points.
The winner of the Texas vs Ohio State game will most likely claim the No. 1 ranking in the ensuing AP Poll. Barring an overwhelmingly lopsided result, the loser of that contest will stay in the top five. Assuming No. 2 Penn State beats Nevada and No. 5 Georgia beats Marshall in their respective openers, both the Nittany Lions and Bulldogs could remain in the top five after Week 1 as well. No. 7 Oregon (vs Montana State) and No. 8 Alabama (at Florida State) also have winnable games in Week 1.
Furthermore, a Notre Dame win at Miami could move the Fighting Irish up even more. Conversely, LSU could jump Notre Dame even if both teams win, as LSU's win would be against a higher-ranked opponent.
If LSU starts 3-0, they need to be in the top five
Following the Clemson game, LSU hosts Louisiana Tech in a non-conference matchup on Sept. 6. Then, LSU opens SEC play on Sept. 13 at home against No. 15 Florida. If the Tigers beat Clemson, take care of business against Louisiana Tech, and start the SEC season 1-0 with a win over a top-15 Florida team, they should be ranked in the top five of the Week 4 AP Poll.
Other teams already ranked ahead of LSU may also be 3-0 at that time, but if the Tigers start 3-0, they will have an early resume that is hard to ignore. Of the other teams listed ahead of LSU in the AP Poll, many of them have relatively easy walks to 3-0 records. No. 2 Penn State plays Nevada, FIU, and Villanova to open the season. They should be unequivocally be 3-0. No. 5 Georgia plays Marshall, Austin Peay, and at No. 24 Tennessee. No. 7 Oregon plays Montana State, Oklahoma State and Northwestern. Alabama could also easily be 3-0 if they take care of business against Florida State, ULM, and Wisconsin. LSU's 3-0 would be much more impressive than those 3-0's.
After their battle in Columbus, both Texas and Ohio State have cupcakes in the following two weeks. The Longhorns play San Jose State and UTEP, while the Buckeyes host Grambling and Ohio. Thus, it wouldn't be surprising to see Texas and Ohio State both in the top five when the Week 4 AP Poll comes around, even with one team being 2-1. But, stranger things have happened.
It won't be easy, but LSU has a chance to get off to a fast start this season. If they do that and start 3-0, the Tiger faithful aren't wrong to expect a top five ranking by the middle of September.