IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Aug 7, 2026 6:54 AM
Lane Kiffin’s high-priced Tigers face a freezing postseason ambush in Provo as analysts forecast a high-stakes collision between Big 12 grit and SEC star power at LaVell Edwards Stadium.
The college football season hasn't officially kicked off yet. But some analysts are predicting that the BYU Cougars will make this year's College Football Playoff.
ESPN's Josh Pate took his prediction a step further this week, saying BYU would host an opening round game on campus against the LSU Tigers. Not only would this be an epic match-up, but it would be unprecedented to say the least.
LSU has been one of the biggest headline makers in the college football world during this offseason. Mostly due to Lane Kiffin making the jump from Ole Miss, along with receiving a record contract in the process. The longtime coach inked a 7-year, $91 million deal to be in Baton Rouge. He gave up coaching the Rebels' Playoff run last season in order to be on campus early. The Tigers' roster has a rumored $40 million price tag after Kiffin arrived on campus.
If Pate's prediction holds true, and BYU is a No. 7 seed hosting No. 10 seed LSU, expect chaos to happen. The SEC contender will be forced to play the opening game in Provo, with winter conditions likely to occur. This is a stark difference from playing in the bayou.
Talk about a clash of titans with two of the most underrated fan bases in the country. BYU is going to sell the game out and would make it extremely difficult for an LSU takeover.
On paper, the match-up would be phenomenal. Kalani Sitake's team has gotten close to making the 12-team bracket each of the last two seasons. A few tough losses have left them out of the final games, but this season has a different feel compared to the last two. The Cougars are expected to be right there again at the end of the season.
As for Kiffin, being able to start off his tenure at LSU with a playoff appearance would be huge. Anything less would feel like a disappointment. The Tigers are one of the most hyped programs heading into the season. Make no mistake about it, BYU is not far behind on that list.
If Sitake and the Cougars find themselves as one of the final teams to fight for the national championship, they'll prove this season wasn't a fluke. It would also send a message to the rest of the teams in the Big 12 about the strength of BYU.
Under this scenario, being able to have Kiffin and the Tigers in Provo would be great to see. The SEC gets accused of scheduling cupcakes every year. How you fix it is by pulling up and going head-to-head.
More BYU Cougars News:
Comments
Powered by RoundtableBuilt on infrastructure designed for real-time media. Learn more at RTB.io.© Roundtable 2026. By using this site you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy