A game by game look at LSU’s 2022 schedule
Vegas likely has different expectations for LSU than the purple and gold faithful. I’m sure many Tiger fans all over the southeast are clamoring for a 10-plus win season with new head coach Brian Kelly at the helm, but can they even make the over and top the total?
The Total: 7
LSU fans likely disagree with that number, but realistically where will they finish? Here’s a quick look at the landscape heading into 2022 with a look at the Tigers’ team total and a game-by-game look at the season ahead and a prediction for each game.
Sept. 4 LSU vs Florida State (New Orleans)
LSU will get a legitimate test on Sunday when the Tigers meet the Seminoles in New Orleans. The pressure is on Florida State more than LSU but the Seminoles do have the advantage in having already played a game, beating Duquesne 47-7 behind a 300-plus rushing yard performance.
The early season games are always tough to predict. I don’t know that it will be as triumphant as LSU fans hope it will be. But I think LSU has an edge up front on defense and they’ll force Florida State’s Jordan Travis to beat them with his arm, except, I don’t think he will.
Prediction: LSU over Florida State
Sept. 10 LSU vs Southern
LSU hosting Southern will be a big deal for the city of Baton Rouge as the Tigers will host their cross-town FCS foe in Tiger Stadium. While it will boast plenty of city-wide pregame festivities all week long, on the field LSU should take this one pretty comfortably. I think LSU proves to be too much for Southern to handle in this one. They should control the game on both sides of the ball and win pretty comfortably in front of the home crowd.
Prediction: LSU over Southern
Sept. 17 LSU vs Mississippi State
LSU opens up their 2022 SEC slate in Baton Rouge with a 5:00 PM kickoff against Mississippi State. Mike Leach always has one of those teams that are tough to put away. I think this has potential to be a back-and-forth affair, but I think talent-wise LSU has what it takes to win this game at home. As of now, I’ve got the Tigers in this one.
Prediction: LSU over Mississippi State
Sept. 24 LSU vs New Mexico
A fourth straight home game for all intents and purposes and a third straight at Tiger Stadium, LSU will host New Mexico in a game they should be favored in. This is going to be a game that could put the Tigers at 4-0 and looking good with that Vegas total after four wins to open the season.
Prediction: LSU over New Mexico
Oct. 1 LSU @ Auburn
This is where things get real. Their first real road game of the season and it’s on the road in Jordan-Hare Stadium. Don’t think for a second that Auburn will be looking ahead to their Oct. 8 matchup with Georgia. This is going to be a good old-fashioned, hard-nosed SEC slugfest. This is a tough one to call but I think both teams are pretty even talent wise and I’ll give a slight edge to the home team.
Prediction: Auburn over LSU
Oct. 8 LSU vs Tennessee
Tennessee may be the best team that LSU will see to this point of the season. LSU will have an edge at Tiger Stadium, but Josh Heupel has his Volunteers ready to make some noise in the SEC and they are certainly on an upward trajectory. Making this prediction today, my gut tells me Tennessee comes out on top.
Prediction: Tennessee over LSU
Oct. 15 LSU @ Florida
The next two weeks could be the biggest of the season and determine whether or not LSU smacks that Total or falls just shy. Starting off with a matchup between two similar teams, in similar situations. It will be a hostile environment in The Swamp and has potential to be the game of the week in college football, but I think this could be the game of the season for LSU. Heading into the season these teams are close. Real Close. Both should have solid defenses and capable ground games. I think quarterback play could make the difference and without any of these two teams playing a down yet, I’ll give the edge to LSU to win a close one in Gainesville.
Prediction: LSU over Florida
Oct. 22 LSU vs Ole Miss
You have to give it to Lane Kiffin. Whether it be his antics on social media or the product he puts on the field he has a knack for keeping things interesting. While he will have a new man under center in 2022, it’s a safe bet that his offense will maintain that exciting form that fans in Oxford have grown to love. Today, this game feels like a coinflip to me and given that it’s in Tiger Stadium, I’ll give a slight edge to LSU at home.
Prediction: LSU over Ole Miss
Nov. 5 LSU vs Alabama
Alabama’s Bryce Young remains the talk of college football and is one of the favorites to win the Heisman heading into 2022. Even with LSU getting the edge at home after a week off, I think the Tide prove to be too much for LSU in a game that could give them their biggest underdog spread of the season.
Prediction: Alabama over LSU
Nov. 12 LSU @ Arkansas
Last season Arkansas was the surprise of the SEC going 9-4 and putting Sam Pittman’s name as one of the up-and-coming coaches in the SEC. Personally, I think we’ll see a little bit of regression from Arkansas this season. The Razorbacks will have the backing of the home faithful, but I think LSU will find a way to win in what should be a tough road matchup.
Prediction: LSU over Arkansas
Nov. 19 LSU vs UAB
Another non-conference home game that should be a tune-up for the season-finale the following week. As long as Brian Kelly keeps his Tigers focused on the task at hand and doesn’t allow them to overlook a team they should be favored to win, I think LSU takes care of business in what will likely be a double-digit winning margin.
Prediction: LSU over UAB
Nov. 26 LSU @ Texas A&M
Jimbo Fisher has done a great job getting things turned around in College Station. The Aggies, like a lot of teams on the schedule have pieces they need to replace. But the Aggies have been on a recruiting tear as of late and have the talent to come out of the West on top. Whether they get it done or not is another question. They matchup well with LSU and you can bet that Kyle Field will be rocking. Heading into the season, I’ll give A&M the edge in this one.
Prediction: Texas A&M over LSU
