/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/61682639/1046775972.jpg.0.jpg)
Honestly, if you’re looking for the final score of the LSU football game to find a highlight reel of glory, you’re looking at the wrong season. The 2025 campaign didn't end with a shower of purple and gold confetti in a high-stakes CFP matchup. Instead, it wrapped up in the humidity of Houston on December 27, 2025, at the Texas Bowl.
The final score of the LSU football game was Houston 38, LSU 35.
It was a weird one. You’ve got a Tigers team that started the year with so much promise, actually knocking off Clemson in the opener, only to slide into a pattern of "almost" and "what if." By the time they hit NRG Stadium for the bowl game, the energy felt different. Brian Kelly’s squad was fighting to stay above .500, and they just couldn't quite close the door on a gritty Houston Cougars team.
What Actually Happened in the Texas Bowl?
The game was a back-and-forth headache for anyone wearing a headset. LSU's offense actually moved the ball pretty well, racking up points, but the defense—which had been a roller coaster all year—leaked at the worst possible moments.
🔗 Read more: Texas vs Oklahoma Football Game: Why the Red River Rivalry is Getting Even Weirder
LSU entered the fourth quarter with a lead, but the Cougars clawed back. The decisive blow came late. It wasn't some 50-yard bomb; it was a methodical drive by Houston that exposed the gaps in the Tigers' secondary. When the clock hit zero, LSU sat at a 7-6 record for the year. That’s a tough pill for a fan base that expects 10-win seasons as a baseline.
- Final Score: Houston 38, LSU 35
- Venue: NRG Stadium, Houston
- Season Finish: 7 wins, 6 losses
- Key Stat: LSU gave up over 250 passing yards in the second half alone.
The 2025 Season: A Quick Autopsy
To understand why that final score of the LSU football game matters so much, you have to look at the weeks leading up to it. The SEC schedule was a meat grinder. The Tigers lost a heartbreaker to Oklahoma (17-13) just before the bowl game. Before that, they got thumped by Texas A&M 49-25.
It felt like the team was constantly searching for an identity. One week the run game looked elite, and the next, they couldn't find a hole to save their lives. The defense was top-25 in the country in points allowed for most of the year, but they broke down in the clutch during November and December.
💡 You might also like: How to watch vikings game online free without the usual headache
Why the Scoreboard Doesn't Tell the Whole Story
If you just see "38-35" on a ticker, you miss the drama. This was a game of "hidden yards." LSU had two costly turnovers deep in Houston territory. If even one of those drives ends in a field goal, we’re talking about a completely different narrative.
Basically, the 2025 season was defined by the thin line between being a contender and being "just okay." LSU finished 3-5 in the SEC. That’s the real sting. Beating Arkansas 23-22 and squeaking by Western Kentucky 13-10 showed the grit, but the blowout loss to Alabama (20-9) and the final bowl loss showed the ceiling.
Looking Ahead to 2026
So, what now? The focus has already shifted to the 2026 opener against Clemson on September 5. It's a rematch of the 2025 season opener, and it’s happening in Death Valley (the real one, in Baton Rouge).
📖 Related: Liechtenstein National Football Team: Why Their Struggles are Different Than You Think
The roster is going through a massive overhaul. With the transfer portal being what it is, the team that took the field in Houston won't look much like the one that kicks off in September. The coaching staff is under immense pressure to fix the late-game collapses that defined the end of last season.
Actionable Insights for Tigers Fans
If you're trying to keep track of the Tigers' trajectory, don't just look at the wins and losses.
- Watch the Trenches: The 2025 final scores were often decided by LSU's inability to protect the quarterback in the fourth quarter. Check the recruiting rankings for offensive linemen this spring.
- Download the Schedule: The 2026 schedule is already out. Mark September 12 for the Louisiana Tech game and October 24 for the road trip to Auburn.
- Follow the Defensive Coordinator: Keep an eye on any staff changes. The defense was the Achilles' heel in the Houston loss. If the scheme doesn't change, the results probably won't either.
The final score in Houston was a disappointment, but in college football, the page turns faster than anywhere else. The hunt for the next championship starts the second the previous season's clock hits zero.
Check the 2026 spring game dates as soon as they are announced in February to see how the new secondary is shaping up. Monitor the portal entries specifically for defensive backs to see if LSU is addressing the depth issues that cost them the Texas Bowl.