LSU Topped College Sports Social Pulse Rankings
The university secured the top spot following significant social media activity surrounding off-field events.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Football
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LSU ranked first in the latest College Sports Social Pulse rankings with a score of 89.4. This surge in social media engagement was driven by intense online conversation surrounding an investigation into defensive end Damien Shanklin.
Why it matters
The Pulse rankings quantify influence through social media volume, sentiment, and engagement. LSU reaching the top position illustrates how high-profile off-field news can drive digital conversation metrics even when performance on the field remains consistent.
LSU earned an 89.4 score in the Social Media Insights Lab rankings, outpacing Ohio State at 81.5 and Oregon at 76. The ranking period encompassed activity from Sept. 29 through Oct. 5, 2026.
The players
Damien Shanklin
He is an LSU defensive end who is currently under investigation for a reported rape allegation.
Ryan Day
He is the head coach of Ohio State who attained the top coach ranking with a perfect score of 100.
Jeremiah Smith
He is an Ohio State wide receiver who achieved the top player ranking with a perfect score of 100.
Social Media Insights Lab
This organization develops the Pulse rankings in partnership with the Sports Business Journal.
The details
LSU ascended to the top of the rankings during a week where the team also secured a 63-14 victory over McNeese State. While the team success contributed to its profile, the primary driver was the volume of conversation regarding a rape allegation involving Damien Shanklin.
Timeline
Data for the rankings covers the period from Sept. 29 through Oct. 5, 2026.
Season Trajectory
The rankings reflect a broader trend where off-field social media volume can heavily influence a program's digital footprint relative to on-field achievements. This volatility impacts how individual players and coaches are perceived across the national competitive landscape.
The rankings underscore how public perception of a program can shift rapidly due to social media activity regardless of game-day scores. Fans monitoring these metrics should note that the Pulse score accounts for sentiment and engagement rather than traditional game performance.
The takeaway
Social media influence metrics provide a unique view into how high-profile off-field news impacts the visibility of college football programs. Stakeholders should note that digital dominance is often fueled by controversial narratives rather than strictly by winning games.
Further reading
For more on the latest trends in the sport, see the Football section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Sportsbusinessjournal.
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Should college sports programs be judged more by off-field conduct than on-field performance?
