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Saturday’s Texas Bowl battle between LSU and Houston will probably be a matchup that includes a program in transition and a program on the rise. The Tigers (7-5) will probably be enjoying their closing recreation below interim coach Frank Wilson to conclude a disappointing 2025 marketing campaign marked by the firing of Brian Kelly and subsequent hiring of Lane Kiffin.
Although Kiffin has been busy assembling his 2026 workers and laying the groundwork for his first roster, he will not be carrying a headset because the 2025 Tigers search a fourth straight bowl victory. LSU may have its arms full with Houston (9-3), which is looking for to cap off a breakthrough second season for coach Willie Fritz.
The Cougars have already raised their win whole by 5 from final season, and Fritz mentioned Monday that “we have got all people enjoying within the bowl recreation.”
It is a totally different story for LSU, which will probably be down various key veterans as a consequence of a mix of accidents and opt-outs. The Tigers are anticipated to be with out a number of star defenders, together with security AJ Haulcy, cornerback Mansoor Delane, linebacker Harold Perkins Jr., defensive finish Jack Pyburn and linebacker West Weeks. Fellow linebacker Whit Weeks may even be out as a consequence of harm.
Every had been key cogs in a formidable protection. With Blake Baker sticking round to be the Tigers’ defensive coordinator below Kiffin, LSU will get a have a look at some youthful defensive gamers who may issue into this system’s future.
The place to look at LSU vs. Houston reside
Date: Saturday, December 27 | Time: 9:15 p.m. ET
Location: NRG Stadium — Houston, Texas
TV: ESPN | Reside stream: Fubo (Strive totally free)
Observe alongside for LIVE updates, highlights and evaluation from a loaded Saturday bowl recreation slate.
LSU vs. Houston: Must know
Weigman’s familiarity: LSU is a well-recognized foe for Houston quarterback Conner Weigman, who went 2-0 towards the Tigers whereas enjoying for Texas A&M from 2022-24. He accomplished 12 of 18 passes for 155 yards and two touchdowns in a 38-23 upset win over the No. 6 Tigers to finish the 2022 season. Although the Tigers went on to play Georgia within the SEC Championship Recreation the next week, the dud efficiency towards a struggling A&M staff put a damper on the ending to Brian Kelly’s first season as LSU’s coach. Weigman additionally began at quarterback for A&M in a win over LSU final season earlier than transferring to Houston at season’s finish.
Michael Van Buren’s audition: LSU quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr. stepped into the beginning function for the Tigers’ tenth recreation of the season and went 2-1 with wins over Arkansas and Western Kentucky and a loss at Oklahoma. The Mississippi State switch brings a component of mobility to LSU’s assault that veteran Garrett Nussmeier lacked because the Tigers struggled with cross safety in 2025. However his ceiling as a passer stays up for debate. As Lane Kiffin takes over as LSU’s head coach, Van Buren’s future is hanging within the steadiness. This will probably be a key audition alternative for the sophomore, who may elevate his worth on the quarterback market with a powerful efficiency.
Uncommon assembly: These colleges are separated by lower than 300 miles alongside the Gulf of Mexico, however this will probably be their first assembly in 25 years. LSU leads the all-time collection 2-1, with all three earlier conferences coming between 1996 and 2000. Houston’s lone victory got here in 1999, when a Cougars staff that completed 7-4 took down LSU 20-7 in Gerry DiNardo’s closing recreation because the Tigers coach.
LSU vs. Houston: prediction, picks
LSU is a staff in transition that’s grappling with a major wave of defensive opt-outs because it performs below interim coach Frank Wilson for the final time. By comparability, Houston is coming into the Texas Bowl with its roster principally in tact. As motivation goes, the sting ought to lie with the Cougars, who’re looking for a tenth victory and a memorable cap to a powerful second season for coach Willie Fritz. LSU nonetheless has some expertise, however this can be a shell of the staff that spent the primary half of the season ranked. Choose: Houston -3
Who will win and canopy in every faculty soccer bowl and playoff recreation? SportsLine’s laptop mannequin simply simulated every matchup 10,000 occasions and has revealed its picks. Go to SportsLine now to see all its faculty soccer picks.
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