LSU’s chaotic 2025 season has its final chapter, but for HC Lane Kiffin, the story is just beginning. The Tigers are entering December with a mix of relief and that well-known SEC chip on their shoulder as the playoff schedule finally unfolds. Fans in Baton Rouge were glued to developments as conferences all across the nation confirmed their destinations and wondered where their chaotic 2025 campaign would end.

Now it’s official, according to On3 Sports, LSU is headed to Houston for a Texas Bowl clash on December 27 against Willie Fritz and the Cougars. Interim coach Frank Wilson will steer the Tigers one last time as they try to close a chaotic year with some pride and punch.

“LSU is still playing in a bowl game. So, Frank will continue to serve in that role,” Lane Kiffin said earlier this week. “We spent a lot of time together in the last 24 hours as I’ve been here and less than 24 hours.  I’ve made the decision that he’s going to still stay in that role as the head coach of that team for the bowl game.”

For the second year in a row, LSU is preparing to go to Houston, which has quietly become the Tigers’ home away from home for December. Held in NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, LSU has played in the postseason in three of the last six seasons. The matchup feels a little more intense this time, though. On December 27, LSU will take on a confident 9-3 Houston team, with an interim coach in Frank Wilson, a new era with Lane Kiffin looming, and a fan base attempting to reconcile a tough 7-5 season.

Houston earned every bit of their No. 21 spot. The Cougars bring a toughness and swagger that haven’t been this sharp since their greatest years, as seen by their perfect 6-0 road record, holding opponents to just 21.8 points, and lighting up scoreboards with 28.3 points per game. With 11 all-conference selections, Willie Fritz has transformed them into one of the Big 12’s most aggressive and disciplined teams. This bowl matchup feels like the beginning of a rivalry, especially considering the Tigers and Cougars are playing for the first time since 2000 and have already scheduled an opener for 2027.

But LSU is not going into Houston with plenty of weapons. With one of the toughest defenses in the country, the Tigers lead the SEC in pass efficiency behind an insane 17 interceptions and rank in the top 25 in all categories. LSU has every reason to think they can reclaim their confidence when you add in a three-game winning streak in the bowl and recent memories of destroying Purdue, Wisconsin, and Baylor. And that confidence doesn’t have to stop at the Texas Bowl. It’s exactly the kind of foundation Lane Kiffin has already begun building on as LSU shifts into its next era.

Lane Kiffin sparks a new era at LSU

Before LSU fans could even comprehend Brian Kelly’s exit, Lane Kiffin lit a match under the entire program. His first major spark? Getting Lamar Brown, the top overall recruit in the country in 2026, was a huge move that, beyond just making headlines, completely changed the energy in Baton Rouge. Brown chose LSU because it was home. Those are the things Kelly struggled to develop in the locker room.

“You got the number 11 high school class in the country with you want to talk about efficiency. You want to talk about recruiting at a high level. Kiffin has been there and, what 72 hours, and he’s recruited better than Kelly didn’t four years,” LSU insider Teddy Brennan said.

Insiders were amazed not just by Kiffin’s landing but also by how fast he built momentum. Despite only having 14 commitments, LSU’s 2026 class rose to No. 11 nationally. There are eight four-stars, two five-stars, and a class full of defensive game-changers like Trenton Henderson, Deuce Geralds, and Richard Anderson. LSU hasn’t had this level of efficiency in years. And suddenly, LSU fans started whispering about year-three title windows again.

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But hiring is just one aspect of the change. Kiffin is taking his whole offensive machine with him, including OC Charlie Weis Jr., his trusted staff, and the same scheme that pushed Ole Miss to four 10-win seasons with a transfer-powered team. LSU’s 2026 expectations have drastically changed with $35 million in NIL support and a coach who once signed 30 transfers in a single summer. The message is very clear: the goal of the Kiffin era is to immediately return to the playoff glory era.