What a difference a year makes. Last season, LSU had far more questions than answers, but transfer quarterback Joe Burrow along with a tenacious defense and solid season from a slew of offensive playmakers helped get the Tigers to the 10-win plateau for the first time since 2013.
Burrow returns as do several key receivers and most of the offensive line, giving LSU a chance to build on the solid 2018 campaign. Running back will be a question, but LSU tends to find a solid back capable of rushing for 1,000-plus yards almost every season.
2019 Schedule:
August 31 vs. Georgia Southern
September 7 at Texas
September 14 at Northwestern State
September 21 at Vanderbilt
October 5 vs. Utah State
October 12 vs. Florida
October 19 at Mississippi State
October 26 vs. Auburn
November 9 at Alabama
November 16 at Ole Miss
November 23 vs. Arkansas
November 30 vs. Texas A&M (Baton Rouge, LA)
Although the Tigers did lose some talent to the NFL Draft on defense, they still have the core group intact with seven starters returning, although the defensive backfield may need some time to gel.
LSU’s schedule doesn’t look as daunting as 2018. If LSU can grab a win at Texas on Sept. 7, the Bayou Bengals should be undefeated when Florida comes calling on Oct. 12. LSU also gets home games with Auburn and Texas A&M and a bye week before travelling to Tuscaloosa to face Alabama on Nov. 9.
With a favorable schedule plus a slew of starters on both sides of the ball returning to Baton Rouge, LSU could be the sleeper team in the SEC West. If Burrow can improve and LSU’s offense keeps clicking, the Tigers might find themselves in the college football playoff discussion and chasing another 10-win season.
