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Joel Klatt details why LSU can contend in 2023

IMG_6598by:Nick Kosko•02/11/23•

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(Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

LSU can contend in 2023, according to Fox Sports’ Joel Klatt. The Tigers went 10-4 in 2022 in the first year under Brian Kelly.

With two good quarterbacks coming back and a top five recruiting class in 2023, it might be time to seriously consider LSU as a top contender. The Tigers took down Alabama last year en route to an SEC West title. That was initially unfathomable in Year 1 under Kelly.

With that type of springboard, LSU could surprise even more people in 2023.

“Listen, Brian Kelly had something going,” Klatt said on his podcast. “Now, I’ve said this before, and I will continue to say it, the win over Alabama was more of the outlier for them this year than the norm. Than the mean. And you just look at their year and the games that they lost and some of the games that they played and that becomes painfully clear, but they were able to do it.

“So we know at least on the top end, that LSU has that gear. Okay, so they’ve got that club in their bag. Maybe LSU is primed for a bit of a run.”

The LSU quarterback situation under Kelly next year is fascinating. Former four-star prospect Walker Howard elected to transfer to Ole Miss.

That left LSU with Jayden Daniels, the returning starter, and Garrett Nussmeier.

Kelly was pleased with the effort in the final game of the season and treated it as a springboard going into the 2023 season.

“This one was really big,” Kelly said. “It obviously was a convincing win. It showed more about how our guys handled distractions, but when it’s time to get back to preparation, how they can prepare, and not be distracted by doing things like being at the bowl game, and that carries on into next year. 

“They understand that if they stick with their process and preparation, they’re going to be a really good football team and so we got that accomplished today.”

Alabama should reload for next season and Nick Saban’s crew missed out on the College Football Playoff. Plus, Lane Kiffin has something cooking with Ole Miss.

In arguably the most loaded division in college football, LSU can ill afford to misstep in 2023 if it wants to contend.

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But, it certainly seems like the Tigers could be in good position next season.