2023 Season-In-Review

Record: 10-3, Win vs. Wisconsin in Reliaquest Bowl (35-31)

It was a slow start to the season as LSU dropped a 45-24 game to Florida State in what was a highly-anticipated matchup. The Tigers would win six of their next seven games heading into Tuscaloosa. LSU put up a good fight but fell to Alabama with a poor second half. That would be the final loss of the season as LSU won the final three regular season games and its bowl game against Wisconsin. With the CFB Playoff expanding to 12 teams, the Tigers are hoping to get a chance to get into the field.

Offense: Tigers to replace Heisman Trophy winner

It is never easy for a team to replace its starting quarterback, let alone one that was a Heisman Trophy winner. Jayden Daniels is now with the Washington Commanders and it will be up to Garrett Nussmeier to run the offense in 2024.

Nussmeier started the bowl game for the Tigers as Daniels prepared for the NFL Draft. He threw for 395 yards and led a 98-yard game-winning drive. The biggest difference in the offense will be from going to a pocket passer from a true dual-threat.

With Daniels out of the mix, that means the Tigers will have to emphasize running backs more on the ground. It starts with the blossoming Kaleb Jackson, who has a chance to be one of the stars in the SEC this season. Josh Williams will also take on an extended role. On the outside, the Tigers lost Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas to the NFL Draft. This means Karen Lacy will step up as the No. 1 receiver in Baton Rouge and that is good news. Chris Hilton Jr. and Aaron Anderson also return.

Brian Kelly hit the transfer portal at receiver after losing his top two to the NFL. Liberty transfer CJ Daniels and Mississippi State Zavion Thomas will play a big role right away for the offense.

Along the offensive line, LSU might be one of the best in the nation. Will Campbell and Emery Jones Jr. return at tackles while redshirt freshmen DJ Chester will take over the position at center.

Defense: New coordinator takes on daunting task

LSU allowed 416.6 yards and 28 points per game last season. This led to the Tigers letting go of Matt House and bringing in Blake Baker to be the new defensive coordinator.

Harold Perkins Jr. will be a big help for a new coordinator as an experienced linebacker in the middle. He will be joined by Greg Penn III, who totaled 89 tackles a season ago. While the linebackers are strong, the defensive line will be the major impact.

Jacobian Guillory and Sai’vion Jones lead a relatively new group that was added to in the portal. In the secondary, Major Burns is a future NFL Draft pick, who finished with 93 tackles last season, that will be an All-American candidate. The ultimate goal for LSU is to slow down opposing defenses and play lower-scoring games this season.

2024 LSU Football Schedule

• Sunday, Sept. 1: vs. USC (Neutral Location)
• Saturday, Sept. 7: vs. Nicholls
• Saturday, Sept. 14: at South Carolina
• Saturday, Sept. 21: vs. UCLA
• Saturday, Sept. 28: vs. South Alabama
• Saturday, Oct. 12: vs. Ole Miss
• Saturday, Oct. 19: at Arkansas
• Saturday, Oct. 26: at Texas A&M
• Saturday, Nov. 9: vs. Alabama
• Saturday, Nov. 16: at Florida
• Saturday, Nov. 23: vs. Vanderbilt
• Saturday, Nov. 30: vs. Oklahoma