Death Valley Voice
Fansided

LSU football fans have every right to be upset with Week 2's TV options

Despite an amazing Week 1 victory over Clemson, the LSU Tigers were relegated to the B-list of college football television for Week 2.
BySam Fariss|
Nov 4, 2023; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; LSU Tigers head coach Brian Kelly yells to a side judge during the second half against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Nov 4, 2023; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; LSU Tigers head coach Brian Kelly yells to a side judge during the second half against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium. | John David Mercer-Imagn Images

Brian Kelly finally secured his season-opening victory with the LSU Tigers after defeating the Clemson Tigers on the road last Saturday.

With the big-time victory, LSU moved up six spots in the AP Top 25 Poll to No. 3 in the nation as Clemson fell four spots to No. 8.

Despite the 1-0 record and the top-three ranking, the (LSU) Tigers were seemingly relegated to the B-team for the television broadcast schedule for Week 2. Even with the win in their back pockets, when LSU hosts Louisiana Tech on Saturday, it will only be available for streaming.

Yes, you read that right, the in-state rivalry game, hosted by the No. 3 team in the country, will only be available to viewers on ESPN+ and the SEC Network Plus. Yes, Tiger fans, you have every right to be upset with the decision.

Which games are being broadcast on ESPN's usual channels at the same time? Well, there are quite a few, and no, none of the teams are ranked higher than LSU.

Evening ESPN broadcast schedule Sept. 6

  • Army at Kansas State, 6 p.m. CT, ESPN
  • No. 12 Arizona State at Mississippi State, 6:30 p.m. CT, ESPN2
  • No. 15 Michigan at No. 18 Oklahoma, 6:30 p.m. CT, ABC
  • Ball State at Auburn, 6:30 p.m. CT, ESPNU
  • UL-Monroe at No. 21 Alabama, 6:45 p.m. CT, SEC Network

So, yes, even an unranked Auburn Tigers team playing against the Ball State Cardinals and even an unranked Army team visiting the Kansas State Wildcats (who lost their top-25 ranking) get to be on primetime, cable television.

The only (slightly) understandable game receiving preference to LSU's is the top-20 matchup between the Michigan Wolverines and Oklahoma Sooners, but even then, those two teams are a far cry from top-10 programs right now.

Meanwhile, the No. 3 Tigers are stuck on a streaming platform that people have to pay extra money for, beyond their baseline cable or TV subscription.

Also read: LSU helps ESPN and ABC set viewership records in Week 1

Alas, the LSU Tigers and Louisiana Tech Bulldogs will kick off on ESPN+ and SECN+ on Saturday, Sept. 6, at 6:30 p.m. CT.

Home/LSU Football