Is Texas A&M Already a Must-Win for LSU’s Playoff Hopes?
LSU is 2–1 after the Ole Miss loss and remains in the national top 10.
The official College Football Playoff committee rankings haven’t started yet, and LSU still has major résumé opportunities left on the schedule.
But another SEC loss would put LSU in a much tougher position very early in the season.
TigerHype take: Calling a September game a literal playoff elimination game might be too strong.
But falling to 0–2 in SEC play would leave almost no margin for error the rest of the way.
That makes Texas A&M feel like the first real response game of the season.
🐯 Is Texas A&M already a must-win for LSU’s CFP hopes?
And here’s the bigger question:
How many total losses can LSU realistically have and still make the College Football Playoff?
0 more?
1 more?
Could LSU survive 2?
Make your case.
2026 LSU season tracker:
https://www.tigerhype.com/post/2026-lsu-football-schedule-roster-news
LSU is 2–1 and 0–1 in SEC play after the 32–24 loss at Ole Miss. LSU fell to No. 10 in the AP poll. Texas A&M is also 2–1 and coming off a 31–21 home loss to Kentucky; the Aggies dropped to No. 23. LSU hosts Texas A&M on Saturday, September 26 at 6:30 p.m. CT on ABC.
TigerHype take: Calling a September game an elimination game is probably too strong. But starting 0–2 in SEC play would leave LSU almost no room for another stumble against a schedule that still includes Alabama, Texas and Tennessee.
Is Texas A&M already a must-win for LSU’s College Football Playoff hopes — yes or no? How many total losses can LSU realistically carry and still make the 12-team field?
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