The SEC is set to move to a new scheduling format in 2026 that includes a 9-game league schedule. Each team has been assigned three "annual opponents," who will face off every year. The other six league games will rotate among the remaining SEC schools. LSU's annual opponents have been announced, and the Tigers seem to have gotten a favorable draw. Here's how LSU's three annual opponents stack up.
3. Arkansas Razorbacks
LSU all-time record vs Arkansas: 45-23-2
Sam Pittman is on razor thin ice in Fayetteville. Pittman briefly revitalized the Razorbacks with a 9-4 record in 2021, but things have gone downhill since. His record as the head coach at Arkansas has dipped below the .500-mark at 32-33, and he owns a less-than-ideal 14-29 mark in SEC play. He's never posted a winning record in SEC play, and it's very possible that the program decides to move on from Pittman sooner rather than later.
LSU has dominated the Battle for the Golden Boot in recent years. The Tigers own a strong 22-11 record against the Razorbacks since 1992, and have won eight of the last nine meetings. It doesn't appear that things will take a drastic turn for the better anytime soon for the Razorbacks, who haven't posted a winning record in conference play since 2015.
2. Texas A&M Aggies
LSU all-time record vs Texas A&M: 36-24-3
Since joining the SEC in 2012, the Aggies have posted a winning record in conference play just four times. The school has seemingly unlimited resources, but has underperformed year after year in the SEC. With that being said, Mike Elko has the program trending in the right direction. Elko posted an 8-4 regular season record last season and has the Aggies off to a 3-0 start this season, including a big win at Notre Dame in Week 3. It felt like one of those wins that can turn the tide for a program. The Aggies figure to be a tough opponent for LSU in the years to come.
1. Ole Miss Rebels
LSU all-time record vs Ole Miss: 66-43-4
Ole Miss has been a steady winner under Lane Kiffin, as he's posted a 48-18 overall record with a 27-16 mark in SEC play. Despite their regular season success, the Rebels still have not played for an SEC title game or appeared in the College Football Playoff with Kiffin at the helm. The 2024 season presented great opportunity for the Rebels, but Kiffin's team missed several opportunities and underperformed en route to missing the CFP yet again. But still, this matchup has tended to produce wild back-and-forth games in recent years, proving that finding the win column in this rivalry game is never easy.
The Magnolia Bowl between LSU and Ole Miss is one of college football's most historic rivalries and was first played in 1894. The two teams have met every year since 1945, and it's nice to see that the rivalry will continue to be played on an annual basis. The next edition of the rivalry is set for this Saturday, Sept. 27 in Oxford.