LSU football isn't quite in the catbird seat of the College Football Playoff, but they've climbed to right where they want to be with a clear path ahead.
The Tigers debuted in the poll at No. 10 last week and have climbed to No. 7 after a defeat of Alabama. The Crimson Tide fell to No. 9 with the loss, and a road back to the CFP bracket is impossible unless the Tigers stumble over their final two games. The Tigers also climbed to No. 7 in the AP poll this week.
Things stayed largely static at the top 4, with the lone change coming in the form of Clemson falling to No. 10 after a shutout loss at the hands of Notre Dame, the former stomping ground of LSU coach Brian Kelly. Clemson was replaced at No. 4 by TCU, the alma mater of Saints quarterback Andy Dalton.
The entrance into the CFP rankings this year marked the first time since 2019 that they appeared in the mid-season poll. They had appeared in a majority of the rankings since the system's inception in 2014 through 2019. LSU spent the entire season ranked either No. 1 or 2 in that poll. The Tigers were also ranked No. 2 in the 2015 season, and climbed as high as No. 3 in 2018.
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Tulane also continued its incredible run by climbing to No. 17 ahead of a massive showdown with UCF on Saturday, with the winner holding the top spot in the American Athletic Conference. Tulane sits at No. 16 in the AP poll.
While it's unlikely LSU will leapfrog Tennessee during the regular season, they could clinch the SEC West and a spot in the SEC Championship as early as this week. If they got there, the Tigers would be massive underdogs to top-ranked and presumptive SEC East winner Georgia. Still, a win over the Bulldogs in that environment would all but assure a spot in the CFP field. The dream is very much alive with just Arkansas, UAB and Texas A&M left on the regular season schedule.
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FULL WEEK 2 CFP RANKINGS
1. Georgia (9-0)
2. Ohio State (9-0)
3. Michigan (9-0)
4. TCU (9-0)
5. Tennessee (8-1)
6. Oregon (8-1)
7. LSU (7-2)
8. USC (8-1)
9. Alabama (7-2)
10. Clemson (8-1)
11. Ole Miss (8-1)
12. UCLA (8-1)
13. Utah (7-2)
14. Penn State (7-2)
15. North Carolina (8-1)
16. N.C. State (7-2)
17. Tulane (8-1)
18. Texas (6-3)
19. Kansas State (6-3)
20. Notre Dame (6-3)
21. Illinois (7-2)
22. UCF (7-2)
23. Florida State (6-3)
24. Kentucky (6-3)
25. Washington (7-2)
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