Countdown to Kickoff Day 44: #7 LSU Tigers

What a roller coaster it was for LSU fans last year. After week one Brian Kelly was the least liked man in Baton Rouge, in week six I imagine his front lawn was filled with “For Sale” signs and pictures of Coach O after they lost 40-13 at home vs. Tennessee, then they defeated two top ten teams and climbed to the #5 spot in the country by week 11 and were looking to sneak into the CFP, but then they completely fumbled the bag by losing by two touchdowns to Texas A&M and by three touchdowns to Georgia in the SEC championship game. WHAT. A. YEAR.

2022 SEC West Champions nonetheless. Coach Kelly and his squad are looking for more this year and with Jayden Daniels back and better than ever, I would say they have a solid chance. However, they will need the football gods to be with them as they will be traveling away from (the only) Death Valley for all three of their biggest tests this year.

I really do hate to be this guy, and rarely am this guy, but having to play FSU in Orlando for a “neutral site” game*, Alabama in Tuscaloosa, and Ole Miss in Oxford is brutal and the Tigers will need to pull at least a 2-1 record away from that.

The talent is tremendous on the field and the coaching is an A+ from top to bottom. Along with Daniels, the Tigers will return their whole offensive line, two of their top three receivers, a top linebacker in the country in Harold Perkins, their top tackler in Greg Penn III, and two All-American hopeful defensive tackles in Maason Smith and Mekhi Wingo.

Me putting them in the #7 spot is hurting my soul because I know all the talent they have and I love/am jealous of their fan base. However, I think Alabama gets the better of them this year in Bryant-Denny and who knows what will happen in week one against FSU? Just too many tough games and tough spots for the Tigers for this to be their year again.

Prediction: 10-2. Geaux Tigers

*Yes I know LSU fans travel well, but it will still be 65% FSU fans. 1o hour trip vs. 3 hour trip.

How Many Games Will LSU Win In 2023?

• 10 or more
• 9 or less