LSU at Tennessee - 2026 Matchup Preview
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LSU Tigers at Tennessee Volunteers

Tennessee logo
Saturday, November 21st 2026 (12:00 PM EST)
Neyland Stadium - Knoxville, TN  (SEC)

 
Tigers (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Lane Kiffin (0 - 0)
Avg Score : 23 - 20 (16 - 20 on Road)
Record Prediction: 8.4 - 3.6 (#22)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 5) (Good: 2) (Avg: 3) (Bad: 1)
Our Line: Tennessee -2  (SP+ TENN -5)
Projected Score: LSU: 27 - TENN: 29 (55)
TENN Win prob: 55% | Cover: 50%
LSU Travel: 568 miles, 1 hrs behind
Volunteers (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Josh Heupel (45 - 20)
Avg Score : 40 - 29 (42 - 29 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 8.3 - 3.7 (#24)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 4) (Good: 4) (Avg: 2) (Bad: 1)
 
LSU's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5 LSU vs Clemson-10
Sat 9/12 LSU vs Louisiana Tech-27
Sat 9/19 LSU at Ole Miss+6
Sat 9/26 LSU vs Texas A&M+2.5
Sat 10/3 LSU vs McNeese-42.5
Sat 10/10 LSU at Kentucky-12.5
Sat 10/17 LSU vs Mississippi State-17
Sat 10/24 LSU at Auburn-1.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/7 LSU vs Alabama-2
Sat 11/14 LSU vs Texas+1
Sat 11/21 LSU at Tennessee+2
Sat 11/28 LSU at Arkansas-11.5

Total: Elite: 5, Good: 2, Avg 3, Bad 0, Poor 1
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 5, Good: 2, Avg 3, Bad 0, Poor 1
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for LSU's Schedule
Tennessee's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5 Tennessee vs Furman-42
Sat 9/12 Tennessee at Georgia Tech-7
Sat 9/19 Tennessee vs Kennesaw State-27.5
Sat 9/26 Tennessee vs Texas+1.5
Sat 10/3 Tennessee vs Auburn-6
Sat 10/10 Tennessee at Arkansas-11
Sat 10/17 Tennessee vs Alabama-2
Sat 10/24 Tennessee at South Carolina-7
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/7 Tennessee vs Kentucky-17
Sat 11/14 Tennessee at Texas A&M+8
Sat 11/21 Tennessee vs LSU-2
Sat 11/28 Tennessee at Vanderbilt+0

Total: Elite: 4, Good: 4, Avg 2, Bad 0, Poor 1
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 4, Good: 4, Avg 2, Bad 0, Poor 1
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Tennessee's Schedule
Important Stats (2025)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
LSU#121 (.06)39% (108)22.837% (122)2.46 (132)10541% (84)2303.35 (104)#28 (.08)39% (30)19.839% (34)39% (44)3.25 (32)59.31.11.6
TENN#5 (.33)51% (5)39.852% (3)3.1 (40)17650% (9)2934.69 (9)#69 (.16)44% (107)28.848% (123)41% (67)4.09 (109)54.81.21.5
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
LSU0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
TENN0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
LSU Offense1322.816.438.9%3.351.1193341052303.742%56%37%41%18%.06
TENN Defense1328.82944.5%4.091.5 - - - - - 50%49%48%41%18%.16
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
LSU Defense1319.820.438.8%3.251.6 - - - - - 48%51%39%39%17%.08
TENN Offense1339.842.350.6%4.691.2254691762934.750%48%52%50%12%.33

Additional Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
LSU1330:1518.837%62%759.31.11.65.22.1229.8
Tennessee1327:2225.250%76%6.254.81.21.56.62.7428.2
Run Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
LSU Offense1342% (122)37% (122)28.6104.83.710 (107).01 (121)2.46 (132)64% (115)11% (116)0.92 (87)
TENN Defense1350% (72)48% (123) - - - - .12 (79)2.89 (73)82% (126)12% (16)0.85 (15)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
LSU Defense1348% (43)39% (34) - - - - .01 (18)2.59 (15)64% (18)9% (93)0.9 (40)
TENN Offense1350% (65)52% (3)37.8176.24.735 (16).26 (9)3.1 (40)85% (2)8% (23)0.96 (72)

Pass Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
LSU Offense1356% (14)41% (84)22.434.1229.56.710.320 (50)7 (60).18 (105)1.4 (109)36% (129)31% (69).23 (96)7% (99)1.9 (96)
TENN Defense1349% (78)41% (67) - - - - - - 10 (75).22 (58)1.5 (54)31% (78)28% (45).26 (58)7% (32)2.1 (105)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
LSU Defense1351% (105)39% (44) - - - - - - 17 (22).18 (39)1.6 (71)34% (29)29% (60).22 (37)8% (11)1.9 (46)
TENN Offense1348% (74)50% (9)22.533.6292.88.71326 (14)10 (88).41 (19)1.6 (57)26% (10)34% (24).47 (16)5% (28)2.2 (10)

LSU's Power Ratings
LSU's Power Rating: 27.52  #7
LSU's Offense Rating: 23.63  #14
LSU's Defense Rating: 0.18  #6
2026 Talent Rating: 1130.00  #3
Blue Chip Ratio: 57%  #9
LSU's 2026 Expected Record: 8.4 - 3.6
LSU's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 10.3  #32
LSU's Offense SP+ Rating: 25.8  #75
LSU's Defense SP+ Rating: 16.1  #11

Average Talent
Average SEC Talent Rating is 996.13
Average Power Five Talent: 910.69
Average FBS Talent: 728.9

Power Ratings Matchup
LSU: 27.52   Tennessee: 21.015

SP+ Ratings Matchup
LSU: 10.3   Tennessee: 15.0




Tennessee's Power Ratings
Tennessee's Power Rating: 21.015  #17
Tennessee's Offense Rating: 25.09  #8
Tennessee's Defense Rating: 8.06  #22
2026 Talent Rating: 1010.00  #12
Blue Chip Ratio: 42  #13
Tennessee's 2026 Expected Record: 8.3 - 3.7
Tennessee's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 15.0  #19
Tennessee's Offense SP+ Rating: 39.3  #7
Tennessee's Defense SP+ Rating: 25.4  #63

Average Talent
Average SEC Talent Rating is 996.13
Average Power Five Talent: 910.69
Average FBS Talent: 728.9


LSU Scoring
Offense: 22.8 PPG
Offense on Road: 16.4
Defense: 19.8 PPG
Defense on Road: 20.4

LSU's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
Tennessee 29
LSU 27

Projected Total Points: 55
Tennessee Scoring
Offense: 39.8 PPG
Offense at Home: 42.3
Defense: 28.8 PPG
Defense at Home: 29

Tennessee's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record at home: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 0 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202210/08LSU13Tennessee40Tennessee -2.5Tennessee63.0Under
201711/18Tennessee10LSU30LSU -17LSU41.5Under
201110/15Tennessee7LSU38
201010/02LSU16Tennessee14
200712/01LSU21Tennessee14
200611/04Tennessee24LSU28
200509/26LSU27Tennessee30
200112/08LSU31Tennessee20
200109/29Tennessee26LSU18
200009/29LSU38Tennessee31
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Tennessee310 Overs
LSU712 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams5 - 50 - 20 - 00 - 2
Road Teams5 - 52 - 02 - 00 - 0

(#7) LSU at (#17) TENN
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatLSUTENN
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #7 #17
SP+SP+ #32 #19
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTal #3 #12
Blue ChipsBC% #9 #13
LSU Notes
(2/14) Vibes: Eager, Kiffin era + roster upgrades.
(2/2) Great new staff w/ Kiffin, Weis & Baker still DC
(1/28) QB Leavitt has 6 proven WR weapons + great TE
(1/28) OL is portal mix of avg grades but good exp
(1/28) DL is talented, DE's good but DT ? production
(1/28) DBs have exp but not great, LBs really good
(1/28) RB Durham is back, 4 portal adds a mix of OK
(1/28) Portalled Off hard w 25 adds, Def 11, new roster
LSU Injury Report
Tennessee Notes
(2/17) Vibes: High w QB back, '26 could be magical
(2/11) Hired strength coach from Indiana
(2/6) OL allowed pressure on 49% of drop backs LY
(2/4) QB set if Aguilar is back, depth is talented/no exp
(2/2) Did not beat team w winning record LY.
(1/28) Def loaded, F7 looks great, best LB's in CFB?
(1/28) New DC Knowles (PSU) + 4 PSU Def Portals
(1/28) WR loaded w/ Matthews & Staley. David solid TE
(1/28) OL looks really good, Vols lines look tough
(1/28) RB Bishop is top 10 back, have depth as well
(1/28) Big crootin class, could help fill gaps early
Tennessee Injury Report
LSU on Offense
Pass heavy Offense 56%, Run: 43%
CategoryCat
LSU OffTENN Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #108 #107
ExplosiveExp #91 #13
PPAPPA #121 #69
PowerPwr #14 #22
SP+SP+ #75 #63
Pts POPPO #104 #109
HavocHav #113 #19
LSU Run Game
Pass heavy Offense 56%, Run: 43%
CategoryCat
LSU OffTENN Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #122 #123
Run ExplRExp #87 #15
PPAExp #121 #79
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #132 #73
Stuff RateStuff #133 #47
TackleTak - NR
LSU Pass Game
Pass heavy Offense 56%, Run: 43%
CategoryCat
LSU OffTENN Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #84 #67
Pass ExplPExl #109 #54
PPAExp #105 #58
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #116 #16
DB HavocDB #99 #32
Tennessee on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 49%, Run: 49%
CategoryCatTENN OffLSU Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #5 #30
ExplosiveExp #51 #60
PPAPPA #5 #28
PowerPwr #8 #6
SP+SP+ #7 #11
Pts POPPO #9 #32
HavocHav #18 #40
Tennessee Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 49%, Run: 49%
CategoryCat
TENN OffLSU Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #3 #34
Run ExplRExp #72 #40
PPAExp #9 #18
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #40 #15
Stuff RateStuff #12 #9
TackleTak - NR
Tennessee Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 49%, Run: 49%
CategoryCatTENN OffLSU Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #9 #44
Pass ExplPExl #57 #71
PPAExp #19 #39
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #23 #93
DB HavocDB #28 #11
Program Comparison
TENN 5 Year Profile: Consistent CFP Hopefuls
'26 Profile: Down to Top 25 Contenders

LSU 5 Year Profile: Consistent Top 25 Contenders
'26 Profile: Down to Average P4

Weather Forecast
Playing in Neyland Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
No Matchups Past 4 Years
  
LSU's OC Charlie Weis Jr. (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Landen Clark (Tr)15527756%23211888.4
Sam Leavitt (Tr)14523961%16281036.8
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Trey Holly16283095.180
Landen Clark (Tr)189614113.286
Caden Durham11150534.551
Harlem Berry10449124.743
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Jackson Harris (Tr)499631219.778
Tre' Brown III (Tr)38762420.198
Jayce Brown (Tr)41712517.478
Trey'Dez Green33433713.142

View LSU's Full Roster

LSU's DC Blake Baker (been DC for 3 years)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Ty Benefield (Tr)1059013
TJ Dottery (Tr)986212
Davhon Keys894162
Tamarcus Cooley702012
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Princewill Umanmielen (Tr)45139131
Stephiylan Green (Tr)183311
Dylan Carpenter93200
Damien Shanklin22200
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
P.J. Woodland382128
Treylan James (Tr)25N/A1N/A6
Ty Benefield (Tr)1059013

TENN's OC Joey Halzle (been OC for 3 years)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Ryan Staub (Tr)305555%426347.7
George MacIntyre7978%69007.7
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
DeSean Bishop1821076165.950
Javin Gordon (Tr)12851654.025
Daune Morris3513313.819
Justin Baker144303.17
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Braylon Staley68837612.373
Mike Matthews53813415.362
Ian Duarte (Tr)46521311.3N/A
Ethan Davis21257212.240

View Tennessee's Full Roster

TENN's DC Jim Knowles (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Amare Campbell (Tr)10310341
Edwin Spillman814332
Jeremiah Telander806120
Edrees Farooq760003
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jordan Norman (Tr)278620
Amare Campbell (Tr)10310341
Daevin Hobbs304322
Edwin Spillman814332
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Ty Redmond4310011
DJ Burks (Tr)732005
TJ Metcalf (Tr)583004