SEC Snapshot: LSU Tigers
We are in the middle of the Dog Days of Summer. SEC Media Days is right around the corner. Before we get into preseason mode, let’s get our minds right for the upcoming college football season by taking a 10,000-foot view of every SEC football team.
Brian Kelly shocked the college football world when he left Notre Dame for LSU. He posted consecutive 10-win seasons, but fans of the Bayou Bengals are left wanting more. Is the time right for the Tigers to make a run in the College Football Playoff? It certainly feels that way.
SEC Snapshot: Texas, Oklahoma, Florida, Tennessee, Georgia, Auburn, South Carolina, Ole Miss, Vanderbilt, Mississippi State
Preseason Rankings
SP+: 9
Returning Production: 38
Andy Staples: 15
ESPN: 6
Who’s the Quarterback?
Brian Kelly already has one Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback at LSU. Garrett Nussmeier does things much differently than Jayden Daniels, but he looks ready to lead a Heisman campaign as the current second choice to bring home the prestigious award.
In his first season as the full-time starter, Nussmeier had a 4,000-yard passing season, the second-most yards in the SEC. He also tied for second in the league in passing touchdowns with 29. The problem for the Tigers in 2024 is that they may have asked him to do a little too much. He led the league in interceptions with 12 as LSU threw the ball more than 60% of the time. A little more balance in the LSU offense, and arguably the most talented WR room in the SEC, could go a long way to help Nussmeier be the most efficient version of himself.
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Main Storyline: LSU Goes All-In
Much was made of Ole Miss’ efforts in the transfer portal ahead of the 2024 season. They went all-in to make a run in the CFP and failed. LSU is making a similar push to go all in this offseason. The Tigers brought in 18 players to create the nation’s second-ranked transfer portal class. There are a ton of talented defensive backs to surround the sensational linebacker Harold Perkins.
LSU has the kind of schedule that can open the doors for a CFP run. There are three challenging SEC road games: Ole Miss, Oklahoma, and Alabama. Take two out of three and they’re in business. However, there’s one big hurdle in the mind of every LSU fan. The Tigers continue to find ways to lose heartbreaking season-openers in neutral-site games. This year, they go on the road to Clemson. A win would change a narrative and ensure that LSU is in the CFP conversation in November.
Biggest Question: How will Barion Brown perform on the bayou?
It’s not the biggest question people are asking about the LSU Tigers, but it’s certainly one Big Blue Nation will be paying close attention to this fall. Barion Brown‘s flashes of greatness were better than great. They were jaw-dropping, game-changing plays. The issue is that they were few and far between. Kentucky needed Brown to be a high-volume pass-catcher, but he struggled to consistently make contested catches.
Brown does not have to be The Guy at LSU. LSU is returning its top pass-catcher, Aaron Anderson, and they brought in another former Blue Chipper, Nic Anderson, who was one of Oklahoma’s best wide receivers before he missed almost the entire 2024 season to injury. In a more specialized role, will it help Brown maximize his potential, or will we continue to see more of the same in Baton Rouge?
LSU Football Schedule
| Date | Opponent | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 30, 2025 | Clemson | @ Clemson Memorial Stadium |
| Sep 6, 2025 | Louisiana Tech | vs (Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge) |
| Sep 13, 2025 | Florida | vs (Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge) |
| Sep 20, 2025 | Southeastern Louisiana | vs (Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge) |
| Sep 27, 2025 | Ole Miss | @ Ole Miss |
| Oct 4, 2025 | Open date | — |
| Oct 11, 2025 | South Carolina | vs (Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge) |
| Oct 18, 2025 | Vanderbilt | @ Vanderbilt |
| Oct 25, 2025 | Texas A&M | vs (Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge) |
| Nov 1, 2025 | Open date | — |
| Nov 8, 2025 | Alabama | @ Alabama |
| Nov 15, 2025 | Arkansas | vs (Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge) |
| Nov 22, 2025 | Western Kentucky | vs (Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge) |
| Nov 29, 2025 | Oklahoma | @ Oklahoma Memorial Stadium |
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