The 2026 college football season is one of the most unpredictable in recent memory. Multiple metrics compare it to 2007, a year held in the highest possible esteem amongst fans for its randomness and uncertainty.
Things were so wild in 2007 that the LSU Tigers earned a BCS National Championship bid despite suffering not one, but two regular season losses. They’ve already dropped two games this year, but FOX Sports’ Joel Klatt believes the Bayou Bengals could make the College Football Playoff in 2026 even if they absorb a third defeat.
“Where are we at with the No. 11 seed? It is crazy… [we’ll] have a bunch of 9-3 teams in the SEC… I’m looking at four candidates… LSU, Alabama, Kentucky and Tennessee,” Klatt said. “I think one of those [schools] gets the last spot.”
Klatt believes the Tigers will knock off the Crimson Tide and Volunteers when they face off in November, effectively turning the chase into a two-team race. He also expects the Wildcats to drop two games down the stretch, which would free up Lane Kiffin and Co. to snag a CFP spot.
“LSU will have [lost to Texas and] beaten Alabama and Tennessee in November,” Klatt said. “I’ve got Kentucky with two losses in November. So, I’ve got [LSU] arrow pointed straight up, [Kentucky] arrow pointed down. As we know, timing of losses makes an impact… LSU gets the No. 11 seed.”
When losses occur can impact perception, but the committee showed last season that it will take head-to-head competition into consideration if two teams slot next to each other in their rankings. If Kentucky and LSU aren’t separated, the Wildcats’ victory over the Tigers should propel them into the playoff. Both LSU and Kentucky are on bye in Week 9.
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