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LSU Tigers interim head coach Frank Wilson is set to take part in his first game as the interim head coach in Baton Rouge since Brian Kelly's firing last month when they take on the Alabama Crimson Tide on Saturday night. Despite going into the game as clear underdogs, Wilson has one supporter that believes he will have his team well prepared for the tough matchup. On paper, the Tigers came into the season with all of the talent necessary to contend for a CFP spot this season. Unfortunately, the team has struggled in conference play, losing to Ole Miss, Vanderbilt, and Texas A&M. The loss at home to Texas A&M in Week 9 was a particularly bad look, allowing 49 points in the blowout loss. This promptly resulted in Kelly's removal. Now, Wilson will be tasked with going into Bryant-Denny Stadium with spirits at perhaps an all-time low around the LSU program. However, ESPN college football analyst Jordan Palmer predicted on Friday that the Tigers will rally around Wilson and play their best game this season after Kelly's firing. More news: Wisconsin Informed Luke Fickell of Its Decision for 2026 Amid Losing Streak “I think this might be the best we see of LSU,” Rodgers said on Friday morning’s edition of ESPN's "Get Up", via On3 Sports. “I talked to Kirby Smart last week doing the Georgia game, and he said you have to be really wary of the interim (coach) juice that teams can have after you fire a coach. There’s a new voice, new leadership, and new energy. Something to prove. There’s still a lot of talent in that locker room, on both sides of the football. "I think they put it together this week. I don’t think it’ll be enough to beat Alabama, but I think this is the best version of Garrett Nussmeier and these weapons on offense we’ve seen because of the renewed energy. Might be a lot of weight off their shoulders now that Brian Kelly is out of there.” More news: Arizona State’s Kenny Dillingham Addresses Rumors on SEC Coaching Vacancies Wilson will need to put together a great game plan to stop the dynamic Alabama offense led by star quarterback Ty Simpson, who could very well be a first-round pick in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft. That being said, the Crimson Tide have proven to be a tough team to look good against this season. So it will certainly be interesting to see whether Wilson can make a good first impression to the brass at LSU to potentially make a case that he should be the long-term solution at head coach for the program moving forward.
