LSU’s road to SEC repeat filled with potholes

By Lee Roberts  |   Thursday, July 10, 2008  |  Comments( 1 )

LSU Tigers
Got something to say?

Log In above and share your thoughts on this topic with other fans!

Ever since Auburn’s BCS snub after an undefeated SEC run, college football teams consistently try to schedule at least one non-conference game with a BCS conference opponent to supplement their conference slate. LSU’s convincing win over Virginia Tech last year certainly helped distinguish the Tigers from the other two-loss teams vying for a spot in the BCS championship game. This season, the Tigers have backed off that plan, but that doesn’t make the schedule any easier.

LSU’s non-conference slate should not provide much resistance. The Tigers start off with Appalachian State, which won’t surprise anyone this season. After that, LSU tries to become champion of the Sun Belt Conference, playing Troy and North Texas in consecutive weeks, which combined for a 10-14 record last season. Finally, Tulane comes to visit in November.

While the non-conference schedule serves as a warm-up, let’s take a look at the most important contests LSU will need to win so that it can reclaim a spot in the SEC Championship game in Atlanta.

Sept. 20 at Auburn – After three home games to start the season, LSU gets a loud wakeup call in its first SEC game. Auburn, like LSU, has some questions at quarterback, but it also has the talent to win the SEC. These two teams always seem to produce a classic, so expect this matchup to be one as well.

Oct. 11 at Florida – Tim Tebow & Co. will be waiting to exact revenge on the Tigers, who knocked off the Gators last season. Some publications have Florida as the top-ranked team in the country. LSU’s defense will face its stiffest test to date in trying to stop Tebow and Percy Harvin in the Swamp.

Oct. 25 vs. Georgia – LSU adds Georgia to the schedule for the first time since 2004, and it couldn’t be a worse year for the Tigers to have to face the Bulldogs. The good news is that the game is in Baton Rouge. The bad news is that the Georgia returns almost everyone from its Sugar Bowl champion team of a year ago.

Nov. 8 vs. Alabama – Nick Saban returns to his old stomping grounds, and the LSU faithful probably won’t be rolling out the red carpet for him. Alabama is sure to improve from last season, so LSU might have to put up another 40 points to get a win in this matchup.

LSU may have not have a marquee non-conference schedule like other top teams, but its conference slate is as daunting as can be. Of course, such is life in the SEC. LSU won’t make it out of the season unscathed, but it’s the team with the fewest cuts that gets the hardware. Just ask the 2007 Tigers.
Got something to say?

Log In above and share your thoughts on this topic with other fans! (1)

About Lee Roberts

Born in Richmond, Va, I moved south to UNC-Chapel Hill for college and received a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication. I currently live in Charlotte, NC and cover Auburn, LSU and the ACC.
read more
Article Tools Share!   |  RSS  |  Bleacher Report About Bleacher Report