LSU hired Brian Kelly to return the program to the College Football Playoff. With the tournament expanding to 12 teams, LSU will want to do a bit more than just make it. However, that’s the first step.
LSU lost a lot after 2023. You won’t see many teams that lost a Heisman QB, two first-round receivers, two leading rushers and two draft picks on the interior defensive line in the playoff conversation. Yet, this is LSU and the expectation is to reload, not rebuild.
The Tigers feel good about the offense with a strong offensive line protecting QB Garrett Nussmeier. On defense, a step forward is possible too, though depth at some positions remains an issue.
The good news? LSU’s schedule sets the Tigers up for success. LSU has the chance to be favored in every game this year, giving the Tigers a shot at 10-2 or better.
LSU plays just two teams with a win total equivalent to LSU’s. Those are Alabama and Ole Miss, but both games are in Tiger Stadium and early betting lines have LSU as the slight favorite.
After that, you could argue Texas A&M and Oklahoma pose the biggest threat to LSU. The A&M game is on the road and despite LSU looking like the better team, that could be enough to make A&M a small favorite. Still, the Aggies have a first-year head coach and you don’t know what you’re going to get.
LSU gets Oklahoma to close the regular season in Death Valley. The Sooners have a tough schedule and could be beaten up by this point. The point is, both of those are more than just winnable games.
The key for LSU could be avoiding the season-opening letdown that has plagued the Tigers since 2019. Despite being favored in its last four openers, LSU is 0-4 in that stretch. Two of those came under Ed Orgeron, but Kelly has struggled in the same spot.
LSU’s defense won’t have all of its problems solved by week one and stopping Lincoln Riley’s offense could prove to be a challenge, but LSU is a touchdown favorite right now.
I don’t expect LSU to go 12-0, but if the Tigers can go 4-1 against USC, Ole Miss, Alabama, Texas A&M and Oklahoma, it’s hard to imagine LSU far from a playoff spot.
Even going 3-2 against those teams gives LSU a chance. 4-1 is the ideal mark though, because that offers room for error elsewhere.
Tiger fans should be happy with how this schedule is set up. As far as SEC schedules go, it’s on the easier side. Missing Georgia and Texas is a plus and you can’t ask for much more than getting your toughest games at home.
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