LSU vs Tennessee head-to-head: position-by-position star ratings, experience, and composite grades on CFB Matchup. They meet Week 12, Saturday, November 21, 2026.
The Breakdown
LSU 71, Tennessee 65: a 4.3★ D-line and 5★ quarterback carry it. Tigers start 55% portal.
When LSU has the ball: Dilin Jones' 3★ legs run into 4★ Tennessee linebackers, so the 4★ receivers must attack a 3.3★ secondary.
When Tennessee has the ball: The 3.4★ O-line faces LSU's 4.3★ D-line; Desean Bishop's 3★ carries meet 4★ linebackers.
Swing factor: Sam Leavitt, 5★ with three years, against George MacIntyre, 4★ with one — the field's biggest gap.
X-factor: Week 12 Saturday in Neyland: a November road trip with Tennessee's crowd behind the Volunteers.