In the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll for college baseball, the LSU Tigers have risen to the top of the rankings for the first time in the 2025 campaign.

For the first time in the 2025 college baseball season, the LSU Tigers have ascended to the top of the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll, signaling a major statement to the rest of the country — the Bayou Bengals are officially back.

After weeks of hovering near the top of the rankings and delivering consistent, dominant performances against elite competition, the Tigers now sit alone at No. 1. It’s a position that comes with expectations, pressure, and a reminder of LSU’s storied baseball legacy — a legacy the current squad is now living up to with each passing series.

The journey to the top spot has been anything but easy. LSU began the season ranked in the top five but sat behind other SEC juggernauts like Arkansas and Florida during the opening weeks. A few shaky outings in February raised some questions, particularly regarding the Tigers’ bullpen depth and offensive consistency. But as March gave way to April, LSU rounded into form.

The Tigers’ climb to No. 1 was cemented by a dominant three-game sweep of then-No. 3 Tennessee in Baton Rouge, followed by a statement road series win at Texas A\&M. With a pitching staff finding its rhythm and a red-hot lineup punishing mistakes, LSU has looked every bit the part of a national championship contender.

Now, sitting at 37–8 overall with a 16–5 mark in SEC play, LSU has leapfrogged both Texas and Wake Forest to reach the pinnacle of the sport.

When head coach Jay Johnson arrived at LSU in 2021, he made it clear that mediocrity wouldn’t be tolerated. A program with six national championships and a passionate fan base didn’t just want to be good — they wanted to be the best.

“This is the standard,” Johnson said after LSU’s sweep of Tennessee. “We expect to be in this position. The guys have worked hard to get here, and it’s gratifying, but we also understand that rankings in May don’t mean much unless we’re still playing in June.”

Johnson’s tenure has been defined by top-tier recruiting, savvy use of the transfer portal, and a commitment to player development. In 2023, he led LSU to the national championship, and though the 2024 campaign ended earlier than fans hoped, it set the stage for a team loaded with returning experience and young talent to make another push in 2025.

LSU’s ascent to No. 1 has been powered by a handful of players who have taken their games to new heights this season.

While Dylan Crews left an enormous legacy at LSU, sophomore outfielder Mason Talbert has started crafting his own. The Shreveport native is batting .388 with 16 home runs and 58 RBIs through 45 games and leads the SEC in on-base percentage. His plate discipline and power combo have drawn comparisons to Crews, and his leadership in the clubhouse is just as impactful.

“Every time he steps to the plate, we feel like something special is about to happen,” Johnson said. “Mason is the heartbeat of this team.”

Junior right-hander Luke Morrow has blossomed into a true Friday night ace. With a fastball that consistently touches 97 mph and a devastating slider, Morrow is 8–1 with a 2.22 ERA and 94 strikeouts over 73 innings. His presence at the front of the rotation gives LSU a major edge in any postseason series.

Morrow’s command and poise have earned the respect of opposing coaches, with one SEC assistant telling USA TODAY, “If he’s on, you’re lucky to get two hits.”

A top-10 national recruit coming out of high school, Kade Broussard has delivered in a big way as a true freshman. Splitting time between third base and designated hitter, Broussard has shown immense pop, hitting .326 with 12 home runs and 34 RBIs. Perhaps more importantly, his knack for clutch hitting has swung momentum in key series.

“He’s the most mature freshman I’ve coached,” Johnson said. “Nothing rattles him.”

What separates this LSU team from many of its peers is its depth — especially in the bullpen. Junior closer Jacob Fields has been electric, converting all 14 save opportunities with a 1.05 ERA. Set-up men Brennan Triche and Alejandro Nunez provide versatile options in high-leverage situations, and long reliever Caleb Prejean has quietly become one of the most important arms in the pen.

At the plate, LSU ranks top-three nationally in home runs and team slugging percentage. But they’re not just relying on the long ball — the Tigers also rank among the nation’s best in stolen bases, bunts for hits, and two-out RBIs. It’s a multidimensional offense that can beat teams in a variety of ways.

Timing matters in college baseball, and LSU is heating up at the most critical point of the season. With just three SEC series remaining — including a showdown with Florida in Gainesville — the Tigers are primed to secure a top-eight national seed for the NCAA Tournament.

* A road sweep at Texas A\&M
* A dominant 9–2 midweek win over a ranked Louisiana Tech team
* A walk-off thriller against Ole Miss in Game 2 of a weekend sweep
* A 14-run explosion in Game 1 vs. Mississippi State

This stretch of dominance not only helped catapult LSU to No. 1 but also served as a warning to teams like Arkansas, Texas, and Wake Forest — LSU is peaking.

The SEC has long been college baseball’s powerhouse conference, but 2025 has seen some shifting dynamics. Arkansas, which started the season No. 1, has stumbled with back-to-back series losses. Florida has been inconsistent despite having one of the country’s most talented rosters. Meanwhile, Texas, the new addition to the SEC this year, has emerged as a legit contender, setting up an epic rivalry with LSU that is just beginning.

With LSU now atop the rankings, they’ve become the team every SEC program wants to knock off — and that’s just the way they like it.

“We love the target on our backs,” Talbert said. “It brings out the best in us.”

The ultimate goal remains clear — return to Omaha and win the College World Series. While earning the No. 1 ranking is a moment of pride, the Tigers are focused on ensuring that their regular-season dominance translates into postseason success.

Historically, being the top-ranked team hasn’t always translated into a national title. In fact, the last time LSU was ranked No. 1 this late in the season was 2017 — a year in which they made the CWS finals but lost to Florida. Johnson and his staff are keenly aware of that history and are preaching focus and humility to their players.

“Rankings are nice, but we’ve still got to prove it on the field,” said Morrow. “Every team we face is going to bring their best. We have to match that intensity.”

LSU’s current success has also reinforced their reputation as a recruiting powerhouse. The Tigers’ 2025 and 2026 classes are both ranked in the top three nationally, with blue-chip pitchers, infielders, and catchers lining up to wear the purple and gold. The transfer portal has also been kind to Johnson, who brought in four key contributors this year, including second baseman Marcus Landry, who has a .309 batting average and 24 stolen bases.

“Kids want to play in big games, in front of passionate fans, and for national titles,” Johnson said. “That’s what we offer at LSU.”

As LSU continues to dominate, fan support has hit fever pitch. Alex Box Stadium has sold out every home game since mid-March, and attendance figures rival those of mid-level minor league franchises. The “Geaux Tigers” chants echo louder than ever, and opposing teams often look shell-shocked by the sheer energy in the stands.

“Playing here is like playing in a pressure cooker,” said Ole Miss head coach Mike Bianco after his team was swept in Baton Rouge. “It’s one of the toughest environments in all of baseball.”

The LSU faithful are hopeful that the Tigers will reward their loyalty with another run to Omaha and, ideally, a seventh national title — which would tie the SEC record held by the Tigers themselves.

The final leg of the regular season features three key matchups:

1. **Florida (Away)** – A series that could determine the SEC regular-season champion.
2. **Auburn (Home)** – The Tigers’ last home series, where senior day is expected to be a sellout.
3. **South Carolina (Away)** – A tough road test that will challenge LSU’s focus right before the SEC Tournament.

Win two of those three series, and LSU will likely enter the postseason as the consensus No. 1 overall seed — a position that historically has both advantages and burdens.

The 2025 LSU Tigers are more than just the top-ranked team in college baseball — they are a program that has rediscovered its identity. Led by an elite coaching staff, anchored by superstar talent, and driven by a deep bench and relentless mentality, this team has all the ingredients to hoist the trophy in Omaha.