August 1, 2026

The countdown to kickoff is so on. Those matchups we patiently await all year are almost here—plan accordingly.

Just like most Tiger fans, the 225 team has had football on its mind since before summer. And the wait is almost over. On Sept. 5, the Bayou Bengals will battle another group of Tigers in a season opener at home against Clemson. Talk about a catfight!

Then, LSU pounces into the new season, taking on Ole Miss in Oxford, which is sure to be a tense matchup between the two rivals given LSU’s acquisition of Lane Kiffin as head coach. Besides hosting SEC teams like Alabama and Mississippi State, the Tigers will also hit the road for away games against Tennessee and Arkansas, giving fans a reason to travel.

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A new coach and a slew of transfer portal additions mean fresh faces are gracing the field this season. Now that makes for a team to watch. You’re going to want to keep your eyes peeled for these field stars.

But aside from the gametime action, a new football season also promises even more to get fans hyped up for, from a lineup featuring more home games for fans to show off their tailgating cuisine to dazzling halftime performances by the Golden Band from Tigerland.

Before it all starts, it’s time to study up and get gameday ready. Luckily, you have a copy of 225’s annual Tiger Pride issue in your hands. Each year for over the last two decades, Louisiana’s flagship university has graced at least one cover of 225 Magazine, along with other print features and online coverage. This dedicated standalone edition has been part of our August print issue since 2011. So our team knows a thing or two when it comes to LSU’s football team.

Just like its previous iterations, this Tiger Pride is all about the passion and pageantry of LSU football. Flip through the pages to find a handbook for home-game tailgates and fun facts about the Golden Band from Tigerland. And of course, we talk about the season’s outlook and standout game-makers with insights from sports writers like Matt Moscona and Mark Clements.

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And hear from the Tigers themselves in our exclusive interviews with transfer QB Sam Leavitt and the 225 area’s own Trey’Dez Green. Because Lane Kiffin isn’t the only name that should be on lips this season.

We’re also featuring other LSU teams that make gamedays great, like the Golden Girls and Tiger Girls, and showcasing the alumni who are behind their glittering garb. If these flashy fits by Jaime Glas Odom and Suzanne Perron St. Paul have you inspired, we’ve got you covered with a curated selection of gameday-ready pieces that are sure to take any ensemble to the top, too.

Consider this your playbook. Study up. It’s geaux time. Hut! Hut! Hike!