LSU’s undefeated run in 2026 is over after a tough 32-24 loss to Ole Miss, their first defeat under the Lane Kiffin era, but here’s the kicker: they actually climbed two spots nationally in ESPN’s Football Power Index rankings. You heard that right. A loss, but a rise. What even IS this season?!
The Fight in Oxford That Wasn’t Enough
Man, that Ole Miss game in Oxford was a gut punch. LSU got themselves into a massive 17-0 hole early on, and watching them claw their way back, showing some serious fight down the stretch, just made the ending sting even more. They battled hard, but just couldn’t quite turn that corner and finish the job against Kiffin’s old squad. This wasn’t some throwaway game either, it was a top-10 showdown, baby! Both teams were desperate for that win to seriously bolster their postseason resumes and grab some crucial standing in the SEC. While the game definitely added to both teams’ strength of schedules, it’s LSU that now has zero margin for error. They absolutely need to avoid another slip-up if they want to stay anywhere near contention for the College Football Playoffs. Every snap from here on out is going to feel like a high-stakes, do-or-die situation.
The FPI Says LSU’s Still Dangerous, Even After the L
So, how do you lose and climb in the rankings? ESPN’s Football Power Index, which everyone knows is “a measure of team strength that is meant to be the best predictor of a team’s performance going forward for the rest of the season,” saw this game as a quality matchup. LSU’s rating now sits at 20.4, good enough to jump two spots to No. 7 in the country. That’s wild when you consider they just took an L. They’re sitting fourth among SEC teams, trailing powerhouses like Texas, who is tied with Ohio State at a beastly 28.1, Georgia at 27.1, and Alabama with a 22.5 rating. Meanwhile, Ole Miss definitely benefited from their victory, jumping a full four spots to No. 12 with a 17.7 rating. The FPI essentially says that despite the score, LSU showed enough underlying strength that the computers still believe they’re one of the best teams going forward. That’s a huge vote of confidence, but it doesn’t change the loss in the W-L column.
This road ahead doesn’t get any easier for LSU, either. They’ve got Texas A&M coming up on Saturday, and while the Aggies lost to Kentucky at home in Week 3, you know they’ll be looking to make a statement. LSU needs to lock in, execute, and absolutely crush this next game. Their playoff hopes depend on it, and the FPI ranking proves the potential is there. Let’s see if they can prove the FPI right and avoid that critical second slip-up.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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