LSU was seemingly minutes away from firing Les Miles last season.
But now, the Tigers sit as the team will the best chance to dethrone Alabama in the SEC West.
Will Miles lead LSU to yet another impressive season?
Let’s get right to the predictions.
vs. Wisconsin (Sept. 3 in Green Bay, WI)
Because the game is in Wisconsin, the Badgers will make this close.
But at the end of the day, LSU is a better team and will find a way to win.
Prediction: Win (1-0, 0-0 SEC)
vs. Jacksonville State (Sept. 10)
Keep in mind that Jacksonville State played in the FCS national title game a year ago.
Unfortunately for the Gamecocks, LSU is not an FCS team. But still, the Tigers would be best served remembering the scare that Jacksonville State delivered to Auburn last season.
Prediction: Win (2-0, 0-0 SEC)
vs. Mississippi State (Sept. 17)
Finding wins for the Bulldogs in the daunting SEC West won’t be easy. And one of those wins won’t come here.
Mississippi State has a lot to replace after losing Dak Prescott, so this will not be a fun trip to Baton Rouge for Dan Mullen’s team.
Prediction: Win (3-0, 1-0 SEC)
at Auburn (Sept. 24)
I have Auburn beating Texas A&M the week before this one, which most would consider an upset.
But it won’t be two upsets in a row. LSU takes care of business.
Prediction: Win (4-0, 2-0 SEC)
vs. Missouri (Oct. 1)
Missouri’s offense could be downright terrible this season. Drew Lock must take a step forward, but it’ll be hard to do it against one of the most feared defenses in the conference.
There’s a good chance that Missouri struggles to hit double-digits in this game.
Prediction: Win (5-0, 3-0 SEC)
at Florida (Oct. 8)
Although the Gators are going to hit bumps in the road this season, I get a strange feeling that they’ll be ready for this one.
From top to bottom, LSU is a better team, but I have a gut feeling that Florida wins a close game.
Prediction: Loss (5-1, 3-1 SEC)
vs. Southern Miss (Oct. 15)
The Golden Eagles are a Conference USA favorite and that should concern LSU.
But given the fact that the Tigers will be angry from the Florida loss, that will give them more than enough motivation to win convincingly.
Prediction: Win (6-1, 3-1 SEC)
vs. Ole Miss (Oct. 22)
A lot of people seem to pick this spot as the one where LSU loses its first game. I don’t agree.
I also don’t agree that LSU loses this game. Chad Kelly is indeed the best quarterback in the SEC, but that won’t stop the Tigers from intercepting him a few times and walking away victorious.
Prediction: Win (7-1, 4-1 SEC)
vs. Alabama (Nov. 5)
When I first made my SEC West predictions in mid-July, Alabama was my champion.
That is no longer the case.
I don’t like Alabama’s schedule at all. It’s the toughest in the league, and the Crimson Tide will be coming off a stretch of games that includes road trips to Arkansas and Tennessee, and a home game against Texas A&M.
LSU will be at its best in knocking off Nick Saban’s squad.
Prediction: Win (8-1, 5-1 SEC)
at Arkansas (Nov. 12)
This is the obvious letdown game after an emotional win the week before. Except that I don’t think the Tigers have a letdown.
This LSU team will understand what’s at stake the rest of the way and deliver a solid performance in Fayetteville to keep the streak going.
Prediction: Win (9-1, 6-1 SEC)
vs. South Alabama (Nov. 19)
Moving right along.
Prediction: Win (10-1, 6-1 SEC)
at Texas A&M (Nov. 24)
This is the game that will decide LSU’s SEC title game fate. Having already beaten Alabama, all it will take is a win in College Station to seal the deal.
The Aggies will make this close the entire way, but Leonard Fournette will be too much.
Prediction: Win (11-1, 7-1 SEC)
Overall Thoughts
Firing Les Miles would have been one of the dumbest decisions in sports history. Fortunately, LSU realized its impending blunder and stayed the course.
It will prove to be the right move when the Tigers win the West and go on to compete for the SEC title in Atlanta.
Season Prediction: 11-1, 7-1 SEC
How do you see LSU’s season unfolding? Log into Facebook to comment below or hit me up on Twitter (@theblakelovell) to share your thoughts.
Blake Lovell has worked in sports media for over 10 years. He currently covers SEC football and basketball for various publications.