In the first major poll released so far ahead of the 2021 college football season, LSU was ranked No. 13 in the preseason USA Today AFCA Coaches Poll. Joined by UL, the Tigers were one of two Louisiana teams ranked Tuesday morning. The Ragin' Cajuns debuted at No. 23, marking their first appearance in a preseason poll in team history. The USA Today AFCA Coaches Poll uses 65 head coaches from the Football Bowl Subdivision, the highest level of college football. Every coach submits a top-25 weekly throughout the regular season.Alabama, the defending national champions, opened at No. 1 while Clemson, Oklahoma, Ohio State and Georgia rounded out the top-5. The Southeastern Conference had the most teams from one league with six. LSU returned to the top-25 after falling out of the polls for most of its 5-5 season last year. The Tigers brought back plenty of players who contributed near the end of the season while hiring six new assistant coaches, including both coordinators. - Baton Rouge Advocate