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After a pair of 10-win seasons, expectations are high at LSU for coach Brian Kelly's third Tiger team. The 2024 season brings some unpredictable wrinkles, with an expanded College Football Playoff field and a bulked-up SEC.
While LSU is considered one of the top CFP contenders from its league, there are stumbling blocks. Here are three teams that could best the Tigers.
Three teams that could beat LSU in 2024
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#1 USC (Sept. 1, netural site game in Las Vegas)
A tip of the cap to LSU for not playing some no-name opponent in week 1 for a safe win. Instead, the Trojans are a perennial power. While the site is neutral, it will be a much shorter road trip for USC fans.
LSU has lost its opener in the last four seasons due to a combination of bad luck and early preparation issues, but the Tigers were favored in three of the four losses.
Meanwhile, USC and QB Miller Moss figure to be a high-scoring offense. It's an early test for the Tigers and one that could set them on a tough path early.
#2 Ole Miss (Oct. 12)
The Tigers and Rebels figure to play a points-heavy offensive shootout. A year ago, it was a 55-49 Ole Miss win, with the Rebels picking up 706 yards, including 317 yards on the ground and 389 more in the air.
That game hasn't been that unusual. Other recent Ole Miss/LSU scores? 45-20 in 2022, 53-48 in 2020 and 58-37 in 2019. For an LSU team where the defense is something of an early question mark, a shootout might not be good news.
The Tigers come in off a bye week, while Ole Miss could well be 6-0 heading into this battle.
#3 Alabama (Nov. 9)
No road games feature on LSU's list of toughest foes. That's because at Texas A&M is their toughest road game, but that home schedule is different. Alabama is 10-2 in its last dozen matchups with LSU.
It's a new coach and a new system this fall for the Tide. That's not to say Alabama will ease up any. New coach Kalen DeBoer has been outstanding at every stop, and the Tide haven't stacked up Top-10 recruiting classes for no reason. Alabama was the power in the SEC West, but the gap between the Tide and teams like LSU and Ole Miss feels a lot smaller than it used to be.
Nevertheless, it's one thing for LSU to be closing the gap with Alabama but another to turn around a 2-10 mark in the last dozen games in the series.
Which teams do you think can knock off LSU in 2024? Share your insights below in the comments section:
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