When you look at LSU’s schedule, it seems more difficult than most years when you really dive into how each team looks heading into the season. The biggest thing for the Tigers is that they’ll be on the road for most of their SEC games including a trip to Gainesville to take on the Florida Gators.
Here’s what LSU’s schedule looks like for 2017, ranked in order from most difficult to easiest.
- Alabama
It’s the obvious choice for the most difficult matchup. Last time these two faced off, it was a defensive showcase with the Tigers coming up short in the matchup inside Tiger Stadium.
While LSU may look different offensively, it’ll be hard for this team to stop the best team in the SEC.
- Florida
Jim McElwain may not want to talk about the fact that the homecoming game this year fell on the LSU matchup after everything that happened last season, LSU is has this one circled with a red marker as a game they need to win.
Last year’s mess of a situation after Hurricane Matthew really stoked the flames of a big rivalry not only in college football, but the entire realm of college sports. Florida looks to be a contender in the SEC East for a third straight year and perhaps the Gators will have some consistency at quarterback for the entire season with Notre Dame transfer Malik Zaire on campus.
- Arkansas
The Razorbacks had one of the more potent offenses in the SEC last season and look to continue that with Austin Allen at the helm this season. One of the bright spots for LSU was the fact that they didn’t allow this to be a hangover game after Alabama much like it had been the last few seasons under Miles.
LSU’s defense will need to shut down Allen and that may be easier said than done.
- Auburn
Auburn is receiving all kinds of hype and while I don’t entirely get why exactly they are being looked at as a real threat, you have to think that Auburn could sneak one past LSU this season. With a transfer like Jarrett Stidham at the helm, there’s a lot of possibilities for this team, but outside of that it seems more of a coin flip than anything when it comes to this team.
- Mississippi State
If there’s one team that could surprise fans of the SEC, it has to be the Bulldogs. Nick Fitzgerald will have a few of his weapons back this season and will undoubtedly look to improve on his strong sophomore season.
The Bulldogs have upset the Tigers once before thanks to a strong performance at quarterback so there’s a chance that you could see the same thing happen this year.
- Tennessee
The Volunteers are on a proverbial tightrope. The expectations this season will be slightly lower after Josh Dobbs departing the team, but they still look poised to make waves in the SEC East.
Will LSU overlook Tennessee this year? They shouldn’t, but it seems more like a coin flip game as of right now.
- Texas A&M
This game could be seen as Kevin Sumlin’s last stand if he isn’t already fired before the regular season finale at Tiger Stadium. There are quite a few question marks when you look at the roster, especially at quarterback. Could there be a freshman QB starting for the Aggies this season? Again, a lot of question marks, but perhaps after the first few weeks, those questions are answered
Side note: How great is it that this game isn’t on Thanksgiving again?
- BYU
While Coach O has discussed this game as being “the fifth preseason game” a while back at the Rotary Club, this is a little more important than that. It’s the perfect litmus test for the true start of the Orgeron Era at LSU and if they fall short, it’s a big blemish on his resume out of the gate.
That being said, this should be a victory for the Tigers at the start of the season.
- Ole Miss
The current situation in Oxford is a literal dumpster fire and with a new coach in Matt Luke, they will be looking to play spoiler one way or another. LSU can’t look past players like Shea Patterson if they want to achieve their team goals this season
- Troy
Troy is going to have another great season and give some teams in the Sun Belt some headaches. However, the Trojans will have a hard time up against an SEC opponent like LSU.
- Syracuse
Sorry Dave, but Syracuse is not beating the Tigers in Baton Rouge. Enjoy the game though.
- Chatanooga
Just like Alabama is the most difficult, it’s a no-brainer as to which game is the easiest.
-Clint Domingue