Overview
- Kickoff is Saturday, Dec. 27 at 9:15 p.m. ET at NRG Stadium in Houston, airing on ESPN.
- LSU plays its last game under interim coach Frank Wilson as Lane Kiffin has been hired for 2026 but will not coach the bowl.
- Multiple LSU defensive standouts are expected out due to injuries or opt-outs, including AJ Haulcy, Mansoor Delane, Harold Perkins Jr., Jack Pyburn and West Weeks, with Whit Weeks injured and quarterback Garrett Nussmeier unavailable.
- Houston is 9-3 in Willie Fritz’s second season and expects its full roster to participate, with quarterback Conner Weigman coming off a strong year and already committed to return next season.
- Betting markets list Houston as a slight favorite and CBS Sports picks the Cougars -3, and the matchup is the first between the programs in 25 years with LSU leading the series 2-1.