Brian Kelly's seven-year streak of 10-win seasons ended in 2024. The 2025 LSU Tigers have the capacity to start a streak of their own, but it won't be easy.
LSU's schedule in 2025 is among the toughest in the country. Along with an eight-game SEC slate, the Tigers' non-conference schedule is headlined by a road tilt against Clemson to open the season on Aug. 30. The first month of the season also includes matchups against Florida and Ole Miss, with a trip to Oxford on Sept. 27.
Nothing comes easy in the SEC
ESPN's college football power index ranks LSU's strength of schedule this season at No. 11 in the country. SEC teams take up the first 11 spots, as well as 15 of the top 16 spots on the list. Florida takes the claim with the toughest schedule, followed by Vanderbilt, Oklahoma, Texas, and Arkansas. LSU sits just behind Alabama and just ahead of Wisconsin.
The SEC claimed nine of the 25 spots in the preseason coaches poll, including four of the top ten. SEC schools included in the poll include Texas (1), Georgia (4), Alabama (8), LSU (9), South Carolina (13), Ole Miss (15), Florida (17), Tennessee (18), and Texas A&M (21).
LSU is slated to play six teams featured in the preseason coaches poll this season: No. 6 Clemson, No. 8 Alabama, No. 13 South Carolina, No. 15 Ole Miss, No. 17 Florida, and No. 21 Texas A&M.
Nick Bromberg of Yahoo! Sports has the Tigers' schedule in the top-eight among the toughest in college football. Phil Steele of Sports Illustrated ranks LSU's 2025 schedule as the sixth-toughest in the country.
A tough schedule brings massive opportunity for the Tigers
Starting the season with Clemson is no easy task. The Tigers are the overwhelming favorite to win the ACC again this season, as well as a contender for the national title. Furthermore, Memorial Stadium is one of the toughest places to play. After Dabo Swinney's fearless prediction ahead of the top-ten showdown, LSU fans are hungry to start the season with a win over his squad.
The matchup between the two Tiger teams headlines an LSU non-conference schedule schedule that also features home games against Louisiana Tech, Southeastern Louisiana, and Western Kentucky.
The Tigers face the three teams that handed them conference losses last season: Texas A&M, Alabama, and Florida. They get Texas A&M and Florida at home, with a road contest against the Crimson Tide on Nov. 8. It's worth mentioning that LSU has a bye the week before going to Tuscaloosa.
Despite the daunting schedule, college football fans are liking LSU's chances at success this season. LSU to win over 8.5 regular season games is among the most-bet win totals in the country.
LSU 2025 schedule
Aug. 30: at Clemson
Sept. 6: Louisiana Tech
Sept. 13: Florida
Sept. 20: Southeastern Louisiana
Sept. 27: at Ole Miss
Oct. 11: South Carolina
Oct. 18: at Vanderbilt
Oct. 25: Texas A&M
Nov. 8: at Alabama
Nov. 15: Arkansas
Nov. 22: Western Kentucky
Nov. 29: at Oklahoma