SEC Kickoff Preview: LSU Tigers 

Brian Kelly’s first year in Baton Rouge produced an atrocious fake Cajun accent and outlandish recruiting videos that featured the head coach awkwardly dancing with prospects. But, the head coach won the West and has his program poised for a potential run at a second consecutive trip to Atlanta in year two. Some in Nashville are saying that LSU could be a serious challenger to the two-time defending national champion Georgia Bulldogs. We’ll see about that. LSU’s roster is good, but I’m not quite sold that it is quite Bama/Georgia good, yet. 

The Bayou Bengals’ most inspiring 2022 victory was a 32-31 home win over Alabama. However, LSU also experienced surprising upset losses to Florida State to start the season and to an underachieving Texas A&M in the season finale. The Tennessee Volunteers also shellacked the home-standing Tigers 40-13 in a surprising fashion. 

It is an argument that LSU could have the SEC’s best offensive player (Jayden Daniels) and defensive player (Harold Perkins Jr.). Brian Kelly is also one of the best head coaches in the land. He’s an excellent game manager. Both his coordinators will be in year two. That consistency in player development patterns could lead to an improved Tiger squad in 2023. Let’s get into it.

OFFENSE

Coordinator Mike Denbrock’s unit rolled up 34.5 points per game. It also averaged 453 yards per outing. The play caller returns his QB (Jayden Daniels) and the majority of the offensive line, which includes Freshman All-American tackle Will Campbell. Star receiver Malik Nabers exceeded the 1000-yard threshold in 2022 and will again be Daniels’ primary target. Nabers is one of the best returning WRs in the conference. TE Mason Taylor is a rising star. He provided some big moments for the Tiger faithful last season by recording 38 receptions as a true freshman.  

Points could be as plentiful as tailgate crawfish in the Death Valley parking lot this fall. Protecting Daniels is the obvious priority. However, Kelly has a rare, over-qualified backup in Garrett Nussmeier if necessary. 

Best Offensive Player: QB Jayden Daniels 

Daniels is an NFL prospect and Heisman Trophy candidate that is purposeful both inside and outside the pocket. His TD/INT ratio was an impressive 17/3 in 2022. He was responsible for a combined 28 touchdowns a year ago. The LSU quarterback could potentially be in contention for postseason honors if he and the Tigers can live up to preseason billing.

Most Important Offensive Player: LT Will Campbell

Campbell was thrown into the fray as a true freshman. He responded by giving the Tigers a force of stability at left tackle. Campbell was named Freshman All-American for his efforts. The 6’6, 320-pound offensive lineman from Monroe, Louisiana, gives Daniels excellent blind side protection and is forceful in the run game. Campbell is another national award candidate. 

DEFENSE

The LSU defense is led by a familiar name to the Big Blue Nation. Coordinator Matt House came to Baton Rouge from the Kansas City Chiefs in order to direct Brian Kelly’s defense. The former Kentucky play caller is one of the best in the business. His unit surrendered just 22.5 points per contest in year one. The Tigers also registered 29 QB sacks to go along with 72 tackles for loss. Those numbers reflect a typical Matt House defense. 

Harold Perkins Jr. is one of the top defenders in all of college football. A pair of defensive linemen are also receiving preseason hype. Maason Smith and Mekhi Wingo are pro prospects and will be listed on the Media Days’ All-Conference Team. However, there are personnel unknowns that are not concerning but must be addressed once the team reports for fall camp. Like most teams, Kelly addressed immediate needs via the portal. Matt House displayed what he could do at UK and didn’t miss a beat upon returning to the SEC. 

Best Defensive Player: Harold Perkins Jr. 

Harold Perkins is arguably the best true freshman defender in LSU history. That’s saying a great deal, given the Tigers’ propensity to recruit and develop pros. The OLB developed into an immediate star on the Bayou. Listed at 6’1, 220 pounds, the true sophomore exceeded sky-high expectations by being named First Team All-SEC, Freshman All-American, and earning multiple SEC Defensive Player of the Week honors. Perkins’ rookie season produced 72 tackles, 7.5 QB sacks, and 13 TFLs in 2022. Matt House has moved his top defender to inside linebacker but vows to maintain and build upon his unique pass-rush capabilities. 

Most Important Defensive Player: DT Mekhi Wingo

The 6’2, 285-pound junior defensive tackle from St. Louis earned All-American and All-SEC honors in 2022. Wingo racked up 47 tackles, including 6 for loss and 3 QB sacks last season. He will be joined by Maason Smith on the interior defensive front. The 6’6, 310-pound redshirt sophomore was named Freshman All-American in 2021. Smith missed the 2022 season after suffering a knee injury in the opening game against Florida State but is expected to be full-go for fall camp. 

2023 Schedule Overview 

LSU opens the season against this season’s media darling, Florida State. A win there, and the Tigers could be off to the races. Four of its first six games are away from the friendly confines of Tiger Stadium. The positive side of this is that Brian Kelly’s team will play five of their last six at home. A trip to Tuscaloosa on the first Saturday in November could yet again have Atlanta ramifications. 

Another tricky contest could come against Army, which is sandwiched between a home matchup against Auburn and the aforementioned road trip to Alabama. Crossover games include at Missouri and Florida at home on November 11. 

Again, the Tigers’ opener is incredibly important. A victory over the Seminoles could enhance Kelly’s squad into being a legitimate contender to win the West and challenge Georgia for the overall title. But, the West is the West and is loaded with future pros, creative coordinators, decorated head coaches, and rowdy stadiums. In other words, anything can happen on any given Saturday in the South. 

PREDICTION: SEC West, 1st / Overall, 2nd

What Does All This Mean? 

LSU has a Heisman Trophy candidate at quarterback and arguably the top defender in the nation. The program is led by one of the most successful active head coaches in the business and two coveted coordinators that are entering year two. The roster isn’t quite as loaded as the 2019 Joe Burrow-led team, but it’s more than comparable to upper-shelf SEC peers. The Tigers could be on a fast track to national prominence after a rapid and disturbing decline under Ed Orgeron. 

Baton Rouge is the place to be these days. The Tiger’s women’s basketball and baseball teams captured national titles. Can Kelly do the same? We’ll see.

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