When the way-too-early preseason rankings rolled out shortly after Ohio State claimed the national championship in January, USA Today was the publication that held LSU in the highest regard. The Tigers had signed the highest-ranked transfer class by Jan. 20 and welcomed 29 new additions to campus. That was one reason LSU checked in at No. 6.
The Tigers wrapped up spring practice two weeks ago without any significant injuries that plague some teams this time of the year. The newcomers have also lived up to the hype with as many as a dozen running significant first-team reps. Factor all of that into the equation and it explains why Brian Kelly’s group stayed at No. 6 in the post-spring Top 25 by USA Today.
“This feels like a make-or-break year for Brian Kelly,” wrote the authors. “The return of Garrett Nussmeier gives the Tigers one of the best quarterbacks in the country. Kelly then went to the transfer portal to add Nic Anderson (Oklahoma) and Barion Brown (Kentucky) at wide receiver. LSU also made some key additions on the offensive line. The gem on defense is pass rusher Patrick Payton (Florida State), but there is also help coming in the secondary.”
Ohio State grabbed the No. 1 ranking, followed by Penn State, Texas, Georgia, Clemson, then the Tigers. Half of LSU’s 12 opponents landed inside the top 25, highlighting the difficult slate that lies ahead.
Opening the season at a No. 5 Clemson team is as tough as it gets. Two weeks later, a No. 11 Florida program heads to Baton Rouge. Another two weeks pass and LSU heads to No. 19 Ole Miss.
After a much needed bye week five contests into the campaign, No. 16 South Carolina makes the trip to Baton Rouge. A showdown with No. 9 Alabama in Tuscaloosa opens up November, and the season ends in Norman against No. 25 Oklahoma. That’s four road games against top 25 programs.
Texas A&M, Arkansas and Vanderbilt were the three conference opponents not ranked, along with Southeastern, Louisiana Tech and Western Kentucky.
LSU returns a dozen starters from last year’s 9-4 team and added double-digit Power 4 starters through the transfer portal. That is a ton of experience to work with and is a big reason the Tigers deserve to be ranked where they are.
Kelly says these upcoming summer months will be key for being in that No. 6 spot when the playoffs start in December.
“We’re not on the field with them. So this is where you really start to build that kind of accountability piece where the players hold each other to a standard. And that’s where this team really starts to take off. The coaches aren’t out there to look over you. You’ve got to do it on your own. How far you want to take this happens in June and July.
“When they get back here on the second of June, that is what we really have been working towards is this sense of player-led accountability. The standards of winning a championship are sown in June and July.”
No. 6 LSU and No. 5 Clemson kick off on Aug. 30 inside Clemson Memorial Stadium, though kickoff time is still TBD.
