LSU is back in the top 10. The Tigers climbed one spot to No. 10 in the Associated Press poll released Sunday, following a 63–14 victory over McNeese that improved their record to 4–1.

The move puts LSU immediately behind No. 9 Ole Miss and ahead of No. 11 Texas Tech entering Week 6. For the Tigers, the ranking provides a little momentum before a return to SEC road football.

According to AP’s poll report, Florida fell from eighth to 16th after losing 45–17 to Missouri, opening space in the top 10.

A convincing win before the schedule turns

LSU’s official recap credited the Tigers with 731 yards of offense against McNeese. Sam Leavitt completed 18 of 23 passes for 176 yards and three touchdowns, with one interception. Corey Barber Jr. caught seven passes, including two touchdowns.

LSU led 35–0 at halftime and stretched that advantage to 49–0 in the third quarter. Five different Tigers scored rushing touchdowns, giving the offense production from several sources.

That is the encouraging part of the performance: LSU took control and kept adding to its lead. The important distinction is the competition. A dominant night against McNeese offers useful evidence of execution, but the next conference matchup will provide a different measure of how well those habits travel.

What No. 10 means for LSU

The Who Dat Daily’s take: fans should welcome the move without treating the number as the achievement. LSU’s task is to build a team that can sustain drives, protect possessions and finish games against opponents capable of answering back.

The McNeese result gives the Tigers something to build on. It also leaves room for correction. Leavitt’s interception and the two long touchdown plays LSU surrendered are reminders that even a comfortable victory can produce teaching points.

The next step is consistency. A top-10 ranking attracts attention; a complete road performance gives that ranking more substance.

Kentucky comes next

LSU travels to Lexington to face Kentucky on Saturday, October 10. LSU lists kickoff for 6 p.m. Central on ESPN.

For the Tigers, the questions become more practical than the poll position: Can the offense stay on schedule away from home? Can the defense limit explosive plays? Can LSU carry its early-game control into a competitive fourth quarter?

Those answers will say more about where this team is headed than a one-place move. LSU has reclaimed a top-10 spot. Now comes the work of strengthening its case to stay there.

Complete Week 6 AP Top 25

Follow Tuff Tiger Talk with Big Q for more LSU discussion, game reactions and analysis.

Sources:

• Associated Press poll report
• LSU Athletics: official McNeese recap and Kentucky game information