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The LSU Tigers are a revered college football program. With deep SEC roots and a rabid fan base, one of the best places to be in the world is Death Valley on a Saturday night in the fall.
Brian Kelly has brought about a quick turnaround to their on-field product, and today, we break down the way-too-early predictions for the 2023 LSU Tigers.
LSU Football: Way-too-early season prediction
Despite what happens against Florida State in Orlando, FL, in the opening weekend, LSU's season will, most likely, be decided against in Tuscaloosa in November. The matchup comes late in the season, so LSU will have to stave off falling victim to their lesser SEC opponents.
In a league known to devour each other's national championship chances, the Tigers must get to November healthy with no more than one loss. This time, they will have to beat Nick Saban’s Crimson Tide in a rowdy Bryant-Denny stadium.
Who are the Tigers' key opponents for the 2023 season?
The Tigers' opening week will arguably be the second-biggest nonconference game of the entire season. They are looking to get revenge on a Florida State team that blocked the game-tying extra point last Labor Day weekend.
LSU can’t overlook Ole Miss and Auburn before they head to Tuscaloosa to try for a sequel to their 2022 season-defining victory over Alabama.
They also have a unique Week 7 game, playing Army. The two have not met in 90 years since Army beat LSU by 20 in 1931.
What players should you watch for during the Tigers' 2023 season?
All eyes are on quarterback, Jayden Daniels who is one of the early Heisman favorites and for good reason. He threw for 16 touchdowns, ran for 11 more and had 3,500 yards of offense in 2022.
Daniels is an immensely experienced quarterback and the engine that the entire Tigers' potent offense runs through. He is the SEC's best returning quarterback.
But the biggest NFL draft prospect is on the other side of the Louisiana State Tigers. Freshman linebacker Harold Perkins looks to be a top five pick when he eventually decides to go pro.
Against Arkansas, he tied the single-game LSU sack record (three) and forced the game-winning fumble. Against his best competition, he shined the most, winning SEC Player of the Week in an overtime victory over Bama.
Roster analysis
The Tigers almost always have one of the most-talented rosters in college football. Adding Brian Kelly’s imposing recruiting prowess to a historically incredible recruiting program, LSU will never need for ability. They have averaged a top 10 pick for the past decade. It appears they found some of the elite stars in college football with the likes of Daniels, an Arizona State transfer, and Perkins.
Brian Kelly's coaching staff and strategies
Although Brian Kelly added some transfers after coming in from Notre Dame in 2021, he took the relatively same roster from their 6-7 2022 season and turned it into the SEC West Division champs. He threw the bag at defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Matt House to pull him from the Kansas City Chiefs. Kelly then brought offensive coordinator/tight ends coach Mike Denbrock to Baton Rouge. Denbrock, a highly-acclaimed play caller, led the Cincinnati Bearcats offense during their 2021 CFP run.
In the blink of an eye, the Tigers' culture changed. So did the win column.
Expectations and goals
The new coach's second season says a lot about a team's future during his tenure. Pete Carroll, Urban Meyer, Marc Richt, Bob Stoops, Nick Saban at LSU and Alabama and Kirby Smart all won at least their conferences, and multiples of them won national championships. That springboarded each to lengthy and legendary runs.
Because of the first-year explosion, expectations are back to an LSU standard for Brian Kelly's staff. They won the SEC West last season. Their goal is to win the SEC this season.
Winning the SEC alone will catapult them into a playoff game.
Conclusion
In just his first season, Brian Kelly beat the kingpin of the SEC, Nick Saban. Adding in the jump that great coaches usually bring in during their second year at a program, expectations are high in Baton Rouge.
The Tigers have enough firepower to compete and beat anybody in the country. Their opening-week showdown with Florida State should be a clash of top 10 teams.
