Lane Kiffin is making power moves at LSU — and one of his smartest decisions so far is what he didn’t do.

Rather than wiping out the program’s internal structure the way Brian Kelly did in 2021, Kiffin has retained and promoted key LSU support staff, including JR Belton’s promotion to Assistant General Manager. While Kiffin brought trusted personnel from Ole Miss, he’s also preserved institutional knowledge to stabilize the transition and keep LSU’s football machine running smoothly.

We discuss:

Why keeping LSU’s behind-the-scenes leadership matters

How Kiffin’s approach differs sharply from Brian Kelly’s overhaul

Why the JR Belton promotion is a major signal internally

Lane Kiffin’s Houston fundraising trip and the cost of the roster he just built

Whether massive football spending impacts booster appetite for a Matt McMahon buyout

The ripple effects this could have on LSU basketball and the athletic department

Kiffin isn’t just recruiting players — he’s recruiting people, money, and trust. And that may be the difference in whether this era at LSU truly works.

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Garrett Nussmeier’s Senior Bowl MVP performance has reopened one of the most fascinating conversations in recent LSU football history.

What if Nussmeier had been healthy for the entire 2025 season? Would LSU have made the College Football Playoff? Would Brian Kelly still be the head coach in Baton Rouge? And how different would the coaching carousel have looked — including where Lane Kiffin ultimately landed?

We dive deep into that alternate timeline and expand the conversation into some of LSU’s greatest and most debated “What Ifs,” including:

What if Nick Saban never left LSU?

What if Ryan Perrilloux reached his full potential?

What if the 2011 national title game played out differently?

What if LSU fielded even an average defense in 2023?

Injuries, decisions, and timing shape college football more than anything else. This episode explores just how close LSU may have been to a very different present — and what that says about the program’s past, present, and future.

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A report claiming LSU was being investigated by the CSC set off alarm bells across college football, with many assuming Lane Kiffin and the Tigers’ football program were under scrutiny after their historic transfer portal haul.

That assumption turned out to be false.

We explain what the inquiry actually involved, why it had nothing to do with LSU football, and how LSU has been in communication with the CSC with the situation nearing resolution. We also detail how LSU was one of more than a dozen schools to receive notice — a key fact that got lost as the story spread.

Plus, we discuss how misleading framing and sloppy social media presentation helped create a viral narrative that wasn’t rooted in the facts, and why rivals hoping for a major “gotcha” moment are coming away empty-handed.

If you want the truth behind the headlines — and not the hysteria — this episode is for you.

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Mazda
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There’s more to a Mazda. Because there’s more to you.

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Did LSU unknowingly dodge a major Week 1 bullet?

Clemson attempted to schedule a Week 0 tune-up game before traveling to Baton Rouge for its season opener against LSU, but the NCAA denied the request. While coaches publicly praise marquee openers, actions speak louder than words — and Clemson’s move raises an interesting question about whether LSU benefited from its opponent being forced to open the season cold.

We break down why Week 0 games are becoming more attractive across college football, what the NCAA’s decision tells us, and whether this was a quiet advantage for LSU heading into one of the most anticipated openers of the season.

Plus, new NFL chatter surfaces as reports indicate Giants head coach John Harbaugh may target LSU offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. to pair with former Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart. How realistic is the threat, and what would losing Weis mean for LSU’s offense under Lane Kiffin?

We also take an early look at LSU’s 2026 SEC strength of schedule using opponents’ national championship odds — and the outlook may be far more favorable for the Tigers than many realize.

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Mazda
Like our players, we’re driven by the details. Because highlights make the reel. What it takes to get there makes it count.
There’s more to a Mazda. Because there’s more to you.

Turbo Tax
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Dabo Swinney calls out Ole Miss and Pete Golding for tampering. How this impacts the SEC, Ole Miss, and the rest of college football.

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LSU’s embarrassing loss to Mississippi State dropped the Tigers to 1–7 in SEC play, and the conversation around the future of Matt McMahon is reaching a boiling point.

Four seasons in, LSU is on track for another year without an NCAA Tournament appearance, and even LSU Athletic Director Verge Ausberry has acknowledged that everything will be evaluated if the Tigers miss the postseason. On paper, the results suggest a coaching change may be warranted.

But the reality is far more complicated.

Firing McMahon and his staff would cost around $10 million, and that’s before hiring a new coach, assembling a staff, and rebuilding a roster from scratch. All of this comes while LSU has already committed unprecedented resources elsewhere — including a $54 million Brian Kelly buyout, a $91 million contract for Lane Kiffin, expanded football budgets, and funding what could be the most expensive college football roster ever at more than $40 million for 2026.

So the real question isn’t just should LSU make a change — it’s can they? And is there real donor appetite for another massive financial move?

We break down the financial reality, the political dynamics, and why one thing is certain: Will Wade is not coming back to LSU.

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Mazda
Like our players, we’re driven by the details. Because highlights make the reel. What it takes to get there makes it count.
There’s more to a Mazda. Because there’s more to you.

Turbo Tax
For a limited time, you can have your taxes done by a local TurboTax expert for just $150 — all in, if a TurboTax expert didn’t file for you last year. Just file by February 28. Take taxes off your plate and get back to your life.
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FanDuel
If you’re a new customer, bet just $5 and get $200 in Bonus Bets if you win. Make it count — because after the Super Bowl, the season is over. Last call for football on FanDuel, an Official Sportsbook Partner of Super Bowl Sixty.

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LSU enters the season with championship expectations once again, and this might be Jay Johnson’s deepest and most complete roster since arriving in Baton Rouge.

In this episode, we deliver a full LSU baseball season preview, starting with the projected weekend rotation of Casan Evans, Cooper Moore, and William Schmidt — and whether Zac Cowan or Cooper Williams can push their way into starting roles as the season unfolds.

We also break down the bullpen pecking order, identifying the arms LSU will trust most in high-leverage situations, including Grant Fontenot and Deven Sheerin, and how the Tigers could deploy their setup and closer roles.

Offensively, we walk through the likely starting nine, evaluate LSU’s elite depth across the lineup, and spotlight the critical battle at second base that could shape the everyday lineup.

Is this the roster that puts LSU in position to repeat as College World Series champions? We take a detailed look at why the talent, depth, and experience suggest the Tigers are built for another title run.

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Mazda
Like our players, we’re driven by the details. Because highlights make the reel. What it takes to get there makes it count.
There’s more to a Mazda. Because there’s more to you.

Turbo Tax
For a limited time, you can have your taxes done by a local TurboTax expert for just $150 — all in, if a TurboTax expert didn’t file for you last year. Just file by February 28. Take taxes off your plate and get back to your life.
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FanDuel
If you’re a new customer, bet just $5 and get $200 in Bonus Bets if you win. Make it count — because after the Super Bowl, the season is over. Last call for football on FanDuel, an Official Sportsbook Partner of Super Bowl Sixty.

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LSU’s recruiting momentum keeps snowballing.

LSU wide receiver signee Corey Barber has been upgraded to a five-star prospect by Rivals, giving Lane Kiffin three five-star signees before ever coaching a game at LSU. That’s a stark contrast to Kiffin’s six seasons at Ole Miss, where he signed just one five-star recruit—and it helps explain why the move to Baton Rouge made sense.

We’re joined by Shea Dixon of On3 to break down Barber’s rise, what the final Rivals 2026 rankings reveal about LSU’s class, and how the Tigers are separating themselves nationally on the recruiting trail.

Plus, LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier speaks from the Senior Bowl, finally addressing the injury that derailed his 2025 season and how he’s preparing for the next phase of his career.

In this episode:

Corey Barber’s five-star upgrade

Lane Kiffin’s early recruiting dominance at LSU

Shea Dixon’s analysis of the final Rivals rankings

Garrett Nussmeier opens up about his 2025 injury

Subscribe, rate, and review for daily LSU and SEC coverage.

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Gametime
Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONfor $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply.

Mazda
Like our players, we’re driven by the details. Because highlights make the reel. What it takes to get there makes it count.
There’s more to a Mazda. Because there’s more to you.

Turbo Tax
For a limited time, you can have your taxes done by a local TurboTax expert for just $150 — all in, if a TurboTax expert didn’t file for you last year. Just file by February 28. Take taxes off your plate and get back to your life.
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Rocket Money
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FanDuel
If you’re a new customer, bet just $5 and get $200 in Bonus Bets if you win. Make it count — because after the Super Bowl, the season is over. Last call for football on FanDuel, an Official Sportsbook Partner of Super Bowl Sixty.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

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