Expectations surrounding LSU football are always outsized. With Brian Kelly beating Alabama and winning the SEC West in Year One, those expectations only grew bigger. Add Kim Mulkey and Jay Johnson winning national titles in their second seasons, and anything short of raising another championship flag in the north end zone of Tiger Stadium will be a disappointment.
But Kelly has the squad and schedule to do it. ESPN ranks LSU 32nd in returning production—but 10th offensively. With home games against Florida, Auburn and Texas A&M, the only game where the Tigers figure to be an underdog is at Alabama.
History is on the Tigers’ side, too. Beginning with 2003, LSU has been in the national title hunt every four years: 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019.
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Can Brian Kelly keep the national championship train rolling through Baton Rouge?
Sept. 3 vs. Florida State (Orlando)
It’s the showcase game of college football’s opening weekend. In the College Football Playoff era, no two-loss team has made the CFP. Either the Tigers or ’Noles will leave themselves no margin for error after this one. As for those returning production rankings? FSU is No. 1 in the country.
Sept. 9 vs. Grambling
Fifty years ago, this game might have been competitive. Though fans will be excited for the first home game of the season, expect an exodus after the halftime show.
Sept. 16 at Mississippi State
The Bulldogs have beaten LSU in Starkville only twice since 1985. That’s a tough SEC debut for MSU’s new coach Zach Arnett.
Sept. 23 vs. Arkansas
One casualty of the conference’s realignment is LSU’s November date with the Hogs. Jayden Daniels and Arkansas’ K.J. Jefferson are likely the two best QBs in the SEC. The two vets could put on a show.
Sept. 30 at Ole Miss
The Rebs will be fresh off a visit to Tuscaloosa. LSU drew the long straw on this trip to Oxford.
Oct. 7 at Missouri
Tennessee rotates off, and Missouri rotates on. This should be a gimme for LSU before the real meat of the schedule.
Oct. 14 vs. Auburn
Head Coach Hugh Freeze makes the West’s other Tigers the league’s biggest wild card. What they lack in talent, they’ll make up in coaching. LSU was just 3-2 against Ole Freeze during his five years in Oxford.
Oct. 21 vs. Army
In recent years, Army has taken both Oklahoma and Michigan to overtime and hung 56 on Wake Forest. Scheduling a triple option team in the middle of the season is a questionable decision.
Nov. 4 at Alabama
The Tide will want revenge after their OT loss in Baton Rouge. But this Alabama team has plenty to prove after replacing both coordinators and a Heisman-winning QB. The Tigers could wrap up the West title on their rival’s home field.
Nov. 11 vs. Florida
Billy Napier’s squad will be fortunate to reach bowl eligibility in 2023. Don’t help them get there.
Nov 18 vs. Georgia State
A breather before…
Nov. 25 vs. Texas A&M
LSU was in last year’s CFP conversation until the Aggies embarrassed them at Kyle Field. This may not resemble the Joey B-led 50-7 beatdown in 2019, but it’s hard to imagine the Tigers taking their eye off the ball in this one.
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About our expert
Matt Moscona is the award-winning host of After Further Review, heard weekdays on ESPN Radio in Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Alexandria, Lafayette and Lake Charles.
This article was originally published in the 2023 Tiger Pride issue of 225 magazine.