LSU Schedules In-State Teams
LSU announces new non-conference football schedule emphasizing Louisiana teams, Week Zero kickoffs
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Key Points
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Date for LSU-Southern non-conference game is inconsistent across outlets—some reports list Sept. 9, 2028, while others cite Sept. 9, 2029, for the matchup in Tiger Stadium.
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LSU's official schedule page no longer lists the previously announced home-and-home with Arizona State in 2029 and 2030, signaling a shift away from that planned road series.
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All four Louisiana non-conference opponents are slated to play in Tiger Stadium, reinforcing LSU’s in-state-heavy slate.
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Week Zero games are planned for 2027 and 2028 as part of a broader scheduling shift, described by reporters as a key move for Power Five programs and tied to LSU’s path toward a Week 1 game vs. Clemson.
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Northwestern State is on the 2027 slate (Aug. 28) and LSU leads the all-time series 9-0; LSU’s historical dominance in this in-state matchup is a long-running feature of the schedule.
LSU football has added four Louisiana opponents to its future non-conference schedule, capping the run with a marquee home game against Tulane on Aug. 31, 2030, according to 247Sports and And The Valley Shook. The Tulane matchup will be the first meeting between the two programs in Tiger Stadium since 2009, reviving a rivalry that dates all the way back to 1893.
The full slate of in-state games includes Northwestern State on Aug. 28, 2027; Louisiana-Monroe on Aug. 26, 2028; and Southern on Sept. 9, 2028. All four games are set to be played in Baton Rouge, per Sports Yahoo.
Tulane Game Revives a Century-Old Rivalry
The LSU-Tulane series is one of the oldest in college football. It goes back to 1893, according to Audacy. The two programs have not faced each other in over 15 years, making the 2030 home game a significant moment for both fan bases. The matchup is often called the 'Battle for the Rag.'
LSU's decision to bring Tulane to Tiger Stadium signals a bigger push to schedule regional showcase games. It also gives fans in Louisiana a high-profile in-state rivalry to look forward to late in the decade.
Week Zero Strategy Drives 2027 and 2028 Kickoff Dates
The Aug. 28, 2027 game against Northwestern State and the Aug. 26, 2028 game against Louisiana-Monroe are both set for what is known as Week Zero. That means they kick off before Labor Day weekend, ahead of most college football games. 247Sports noted this is a key scheduling move for Power Five programs like LSU.
Week Zero games give teams an extra week before conference play. They also help LSU line up a high-profile Week 1 game. Reports point to a future matchup against Clemson as the likely Week 1 target, though no official date has been confirmed.
Arizona State Home-and-Home Series Quietly Dropped
LSU's official schedule page no longer lists a planned home-and-home series with Arizona State that had been set for 2029 and 2030, according to And The Valley Shook. No official explanation has been given for removing the Arizona State games. The in-state slate appears to have taken their place.
The shift points to a broader strategy. LSU seems to prefer keeping non-conference games close to home while saving one slot for a premier out-of-state matchup. Swapping Arizona State road games for Louisiana home games also means more revenue and crowd support for the Tigers.
LSU Holds Perfect Records Against Three of Four Opponents
Northwestern State is 0-9 all time against LSU, making it one of the Tigers' most lopsided series. Louisiana-Monroe and Southern are also long-standing in-state programs that rarely threaten the Tigers. All three games are widely seen as warm-up wins ahead of tougher SEC games, per SI.com.
One note of confusion: the Southern game date is listed as Sept. 9, 2028 by some outlets, but others cite Sept. 9, 2029. LSU has not publicly clarified the discrepancy. Fans and reporters should watch for an official update from the athletic department.
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