With the college football season just around the corner, excitement is building as fans eagerly anticipate spending Saturdays immersed in the action. As we approach the start of the season, various awards watchlists and polls are being released, providing insight into how experts view the potential of different teams.
The LSU Tigers have garnered attention in the first USA Today Coaches Poll of the season, which was released on Monday afternoon. The Tigers are ranked as the 12th best team in the country, reflecting the high expectations surrounding the program. LSU’s ranking indicates that coaches around the nation recognize the talent and potential of the team heading into the new season. This sets the stage for what promises to be an exciting and competitive year for LSU football.
Preseason coaches poll
1 Georgia (46 1st place votes)
2 Ohio State (7)
3 Oregon
4 Texas (1)
5 Alabama
6 Ole Miss
7 Notre Dame
8 Michigan (1)
9 Penn State
10Florida State
11Missouri
12LSU
13 Utah
14 Clemson
15 Tennessee
16 Oklahoma
17 Kansas State
18 Oklahoma State
19Miami…— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) August 5, 2024
The LSU Tigers finished the 2023 season ranked 12th in the Coaches Poll, and their 2024 preseason ranking reflects a continuation of their strong performance. As they pick up right where they left off, fans and analysts alike have high hopes for the team’s potential this season.
However, it’s important to understand the dynamics of the new 12-team College Football Playoff (CFP) format. While a ranking of 12th may seem like it would automatically secure LSU a spot in the playoff, the inclusion of one Group of Five Conference Champion complicates matters. Under the new system, the highest-ranked champion from the Group of Five conferences is guaranteed a place in the playoff, which means that being ranked 12th in the Coaches Poll doesn’t necessarily equate to an automatic CFP berth for LSU. The Tigers will need to ensure they stay competitive and aim for a higher ranking to solidify their chances of making the playoff in this expanded format.
The preseason ranking of 12th may seem low for LSU fans with high expectations, but it is understandable given the uncertainties the team faces. Replacing three first-round picks and both coordinators presents significant challenges, and the voters likely want to see how these changes impact the team’s performance before ranking them higher.
This season, the LSU Tigers will face a challenging schedule, including several highly ranked opponents:
– **Alabama (#5)** at home
– **Ole Miss (#6)** at home
– **Oklahoma (#16)** at home
– **Texas A&M (#20)** on the road
– **USC (#23)** in Las Vegas
These matchups will provide LSU with opportunities to prove themselves against some of the top teams in the country. Success in these games could significantly improve their ranking and position them well for a College Football Playoff berth.
Which week will be the one that shows everything to the voters?
Given the turnover in both the roster and coaching staff, the voters are taking a cautious approach with LSU, placing them in a “wait and see” period. The pivotal moment for LSU to catch the voters’ attention could come early in the season with a win against USC in Las Vegas. This victory would likely be significant enough to boost their credibility and raise their ranking.
The period between the USC game and the October matchup against Ole Miss will be crucial. If LSU can maintain a strong performance during this stretch, they could steadily climb the rankings as voters gain confidence in their ability to handle the transition. The Tigers can leverage the “nobody believes in us” narrative to fuel their campaign, adding extra motivation to prove the doubters wrong and showcase their potential early in the season.
