The LSU Tigers have risen into the Top 10 in the latest AP Poll update after their dismantling of the Clemson Tigers.
The Associated Press released its first update to its top 25 on Tuesday, which sent the LSU Tigers into the top 10 at No. 8, which is one spot ahead of the rival Ole Miss Rebels. The Tigers are now the third-highest-ranked SEC school (for now).
Some thought that LSU might vault all the way up to the top five, but it seems that voters are going to take a more conservative approach, because it certainly appears that the Clemson Tigers that they beat down on have some serious issues as well.
Their performance this weekend won't have much of an impact, at least if they perform as expected against the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs. They'll have a chance to really fly up this list if they beat the Rebels in a few weeks on the road.
It is fair to take the safer approach and not overrate this team after one game, because that is the entire sample size that voters have to go off of. There is an argument to be made that both sides of the ball showed enough baseline competency to show that they really are as talented as they look on paper, but being No. 8 is not disrespectful.
Sam Leavitt looks to have the juice to carry this offense back closer to the days of 2019 or 2023. That isn't to say he is going to win the Heisman, but he certainly had the start he needed to in order to stay in the conversation.
The offense is extra exciting right now, because LSU has never really had both a dominant running back and an elite dual-threat quarterback at the same time. Dilin Jones looks to be the perfect complement to what Leavitt wants to do. Jones was patient, could block and carried defenders for extra yards.
Speaking of defense, Blake Baker's unit looks as good as ever. There are playmakers all over the field moving with great speed and confidence. The secondary looks just as good and the front seven looks massively improved over last year.
Jordan Ross and Princewill Umanmielen look to be the best pass-rush duo that the team has had in a long time. But again, this is part of the small sample size voters don't want to overreact to. All will be settled in the coming weeks, but things look great right now for Lane Kiffin and the Tigers.
