The LSU Tigers are looking to end the 2025 season on a high note as they take on the Houston Cougars in the Texas Bowl. Interim head coach has a chance to lead LSU to its second consecutive Texas Bowl victory, as the Tigers defeated Baylor in last year's Texas Bowl by a score of 44-31.
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However, if the Tigers are going to move to 8-5 on the season, they will have to do it severely shorthanded. Unfortunately, one reality of the college football calendar is opt-outs when it comes to bowl games. LSU has plenty of opt-outs for the Texas Bowl, which means other players will have to step up.
LSU injuries and opt-outs for the Texas Bowl
Reasons for opting out of the Texas Bowl include injuries, declaring and prepping for the NFL Draft, plans to enter the transfer portal, and other reasons. LSU will be without several key playmakers on both sides of the ball on Saturday night.
Notable players who won't be on the field against Houston in the Texas Bowl include QB Garrett Nussmeier (Injury), WR Aaron Anderson (Opt out), CB Mansoor Delane (Opt out), S AJ Haulcy (Opt out), DL Jack Pyburn (Opt out), LB Harold Perkins (Opt out), LB Whit Weeks (Opt out), LB West Weeks (Opt out), WR Nic Anderson (Injury), and OL Josh Thompson (Opt out).
Furthermore, DT Ahmad Breaux, OL Carius Curne, and OL Tyree Adams have all announced their intentions to enter the transfer portal, but all intend to play in the Texas Bowl.
Houston is far less shorthanded. Only DT Khalil Laufau (Injury), WR Stephon Johnson (Injury), and C Demetrius Hunter (No longer with the program) are not expected to suit up for the Cougars on Saturday night. LSU is far more shorthanded in this matchup, and hopefully it doesn't prove to be too much for the Tigers to overcome.