On Saturday, the LSU Tigers will visit the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium. The game will kickoff at 11:00 am for a second consecutive week. Similar to last weekend in Baton Rouge, clear skies and crisp temperatures are expected. After a kickoff temperature in the mid-60s, thermometers will warm to the low 70s by the end of the game, thanks to plenty of sunshine.

Since 1960, LSU has competed in 36 road games before 3:00 pm with a kickoff temperature below 70°. LSU has won 19, or 53%, of those contests. LSU has lost its last two games given these conditions; both were last season against Oklahoma and Vanderbilt. The last win with these conditions was at Missouri in 2023. 

2026 LSU Football Kickoff Weather Index

*Passing storms and a lightning delay pushed kickoff back two hours to 8:41 p.m. Due to that delay and rain-cooled air, the temperature at kickoff was just 78° instead of the forecasted 86°. Plugging in the updated conditions for early-season games, the index win percentage drops to 75%.

The Storm Station, via a partnership with researchers at LSU’s Department of Geography and Anthropology, launched the exclusive LSU Football Kickoff Weather Index in 2024. With team records and weather data dating back to 1960, the index will add two layers of context to game day weather forecasts. With this information, Storm Station Meteorologists will be able to relate the forecast to weather from past games and how the program has performed in similar conditions. 

Competing in the southern climate, researchers wanted to know if the football team performed better in heat and humidity since those were the conditions most familiar to the players. Project leader Ariana Zerangue collected figures related to game scores, location, temperature, and precipitation. She then analyzed that data to identify any underlying trends.

“I was excited to take on this research project because I have always been intrigued by the weather and our atmosphere,” said Zerangue. “This research grabbed my attention because it was a new approach to climatology I had not considered before. I also think it will be an interesting conversation starter at next season’s tailgates!”

As the researchers and fans would expect, LSU Football wins more games in hotter temperatures. The warmer the minimum temperature, the better the outcomes tend to be for the team.

“Changing players, coaching staffs, and even athletics technology make the impacts weather has on games different from year to year,” said Storm Station Chief Meteorologist Dr. Josh Eachus. “However, trends on the collegiate and professional ranks hold true year after year. “After all, through practice and cumulative competition, these teams are acclimated to the local weather, which may ultimately lead to some sort of advantage when conditions are near average.”

“I hope that people will appreciate the influence the weather has on our lives. It is something every LSU student and Baton Rouge resident has in common, and it can be more interesting than small talk! I also hope someone will continue to build on this project to see if there are any further impacts weather has on our football team,” said Zerangue.

The Storm Station and LSU hope to continue adding specifics to the database, building on the research project for years to come. WBRZ Viewers and LSU Football Fans can expect to see the LSU Football Weather Index become a daily part of the game day forecast through football season. 

2025 LSU Football Kickoff Weather Index