The anticipation for LSU football’s 2025 campaign reached a fever pitch this week as the program officially unveiled its complete schedule. With a blend of classic SEC rivalries, high-stakes matchups, and non-conference intrigue, the Tigers’ path to championship contention is set. Under the leadership of head coach Brian Kelly, LSU enters the new season with renewed confidence, loaded talent, and a fanbase hungry to return to the College Football Playoff for the first time since Joe Burrow’s magical 2019 run.
The schedule announcement provides clarity to what had been a summer of speculation. Rumors swirled about potential marquee matchups and how the new-look SEC—with Texas and Oklahoma joining the fold—would reshape traditional schedules. Now, fans and analysts alike can dive into the specifics of LSU’s opponents, game locations, and crucial stretches that will define the Tigers’ postseason hopes.
LSU opens the 2025 season at home in Tiger Stadium against Louisiana Tech. While not a Power Five opponent, Louisiana Tech always brings a chip-on-the-shoulder mentality into Baton Rouge. It’s a game that will allow the Tigers to fine-tune their systems, break in any new starters, and set the tone. From there, the schedule intensifies quickly.
In Week 2, LSU hits the road to face USC in what promises to be one of the season’s premier non-conference showdowns. Set at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, this neutral-site clash pits two historic programs against each other with serious playoff implications. USC, now a Big Ten member, is stocked with blue-chip talent and elite offensive firepower. This matchup offers Brian Kelly an early litmus test for how his team stacks up against top national competition. The Tigers’ secondary will face a stern test, and quarterback play will be crucial under the bright lights of Vegas.
Following the high-profile trip west, LSU returns home to host South Carolina in its SEC opener. The Gamecocks are a rising team under Shane Beamer, and Columbia has seen a recruiting uptick over the past few seasons. While LSU will be favored, South Carolina is no pushover and could be a potential spoiler early in the season.
Week 4 features LSU’s first true road SEC game as the Tigers travel to Gainesville to take on Florida. One of the most intense rivalries in the conference, LSU-Florida rarely disappoints. Ben Hill Griffin Stadium is a notoriously hostile environment, and this year’s iteration figures to carry even greater stakes. Billy Napier, a former Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns coach, continues to reshape the Gators’ program with a focus on physicality and defense. It’s a measuring-stick game for both programs.
LSU returns to Baton Rouge in Week 5 to host Arkansas. The Battle for the Golden Boot always brings fireworks, and Sam Pittman’s squad is known for gritty play in the trenches. This game often comes down to which team can control the line of scrimmage and win the turnover battle. It also serves as an important midpoint check-in for LSU ahead of a challenging back half of the schedule.
Week 6 provides a breather of sorts, with LSU facing New Mexico State in a non-conference matchup. While this may seem like a lighter opponent on paper, the Aggies have improved significantly in recent seasons and have made multiple bowl appearances. LSU will still be expected to dominate, but focus and execution remain critical.
Then comes the gauntlet.
Week 7 sees the Tigers head to Austin to face the Texas Longhorns in what will be a historic SEC clash. Texas, now a full-fledged member of the Southeastern Conference, has shown signs of ascending under head coach Steve Sarkisian. Their roster is teeming with future NFL players, and the environment at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium will be electric. This is a matchup with potential SEC Championship and Playoff implications, and it carries heavy recruiting ramifications as both schools battle for elite prospects across the South.
After the clash in Austin, LSU returns home to face Ole Miss. The Rebels are always a wildcard under Lane Kiffin, boasting a high-octane offense that can score from anywhere on the field. This midseason showdown could evolve into a classic SEC shootout, especially if both teams are still in the hunt for a spot in Atlanta.
Week 9 brings perhaps the most anticipated game of the season: LSU vs. Alabama in Baton Rouge. No matter the records, this rivalry is must-watch television, and with both teams likely jockeying for SEC West supremacy (in the new SEC format, divisions are gone, but traditional rivals remain), the stakes are massive. Nick Saban’s replacement—should the legendary coach retire before 2025—would be under immense scrutiny in this game. Expect a playoff atmosphere under the lights of Death Valley, where legends are made.
After that emotionally charged matchup, LSU faces a potential trap game in Week 10 against Missouri on the road. Missouri has quietly built a tough and competitive program under Eli Drinkwitz, and Columbia in November can be a tricky place to play. It’s the type of game that often derails contenders if they overlook their opponent or come out flat.
In Week 11, LSU travels to Starkville to take on Mississippi State. The Bulldogs are in a rebuilding phase, but SEC road games are never automatic. Expect the Tigers to focus on controlling possession and playing disciplined football to avoid any surprises.
Week 12 is another heavyweight bout as LSU hosts Texas A&M. This rivalry has grown significantly in recent years, fueled by recruiting battles, high-profile games, and even coaching feuds. The Aggies’ roster continues to feature elite talent, and this late-season meeting could have direct implications on the SEC title race and the College Football Playoff.
The Tigers close the regular season in Week 13 with a non-conference rivalry game against Tulane. The Green Wave, coming off a few strong seasons in the American Athletic Conference before transitioning to the expanded playoff-era spotlight, are not to be taken lightly. This New Orleans-versus-Baton Rouge showdown brings deep Louisiana roots and offers a fitting—and potentially emotional—finale to the regular season.
Taken as a whole, LSU’s 2025 schedule is one of the most demanding in the nation. With marquee non-conference matchups, the arrival of Texas in the SEC, and the always-brutal conference grind, the Tigers face a series of high-leverage games nearly every week. Depth, discipline, and resilience will be key.
From a talent perspective, LSU is well-equipped to navigate this challenging slate. The Tigers return several key starters from the 2024 squad, including an experienced offensive line and a deep, athletic defense. The quarterback room features a mix of dual-threat options and pro-style passers, giving Brian Kelly multiple paths to success. The receiving corps remains one of the most explosive in the country, while the secondary—often criticized in recent years—has been bolstered by both recruiting and portal additions.
The coaching staff, now fully entrenched in Kelly’s vision, is expected to bring cohesion and consistency, both of which are critical when navigating a schedule filled with playoff-level matchups. Special teams also figure to play a larger role in 2025, particularly in close games against Alabama, Texas, and USC.
Off the field, the program has continued to flourish in the NIL era. LSU’s ability to retain top-tier talent while supplementing through the portal has allowed them to maintain a top-10 roster year-over-year. With a passionate fanbase and a fertile recruiting base, the Tigers are built to sustain success—but they’ll have to earn every win.
As the season draws closer, expectations will mount. Analysts will dissect each matchup, predict wins and losses, and speculate about Playoff positioning. But inside the LSU locker room, the message is likely to remain simple: one game at a time. Survive and advance. In a schedule like this, with so few breathers, that mantra might be the difference between a New Year’s Six bowl and a national title.
The journey begins in September, but the countdown is already on. LSU football, with one of the most electric schedules in America, is ready to roar.