LSU should expect a 'consistent product' in 2023

LSU fans are riding high coming into the 2023 season. Yet, Tigers fans should be careful, or they could come crashing down.

“When it comes to expectations for 2023, I think you should expect to see a consistent product. That will be my expectations. And I’m not here to tell you, ‘Hey, don’t shoot for the stars and don’t expect an SEC title.’ But, I’m saying if your expectations are that you win a national title in 2023, or the years to failure, I would say like, let’s let’s take a step back here that feels a little bit unfair,” On3’s own JD PicKell said.

Outsiders can’t blame LSU fans for their high expectations. The Tigers finished their first season under head coach Brian Kelly with a 10-4 record and an impressive 63-7 victory over Purdue in the Citrus Bowl. To pile on, LSU is only getting better.

The Tigers boast the No. 5 incoming recruiting class, according to On3 Industry Rankings. The group consists of one five-star prospect and a whopping 17 four-star recruits. PicKell gets that, and his long-term expectations accomodate the program’s inevitable growth.

“Now, long term expectations — totally different story,” PicKell said. “You expect the national championship and you should because you have the resources. You’re in a talent rich state, Louisiana, you have alignment with the football team in the administration. And there’s history there.”

The history is recent. Fueled by Joe Burrow’s legendary season, LSU won the national title in 2019. However, the Tigers have struggled to reach these heights again.

In 2020, the team won just half of its contests. In 2021, things got even worse. The Tigers went 6-7 while losing in blowout fashion to Kansas State to close the season. Brian Kelly’s takeover immediately transformed the program.

Last season, LSU won the SEC West title and fell to Georgia in a hard-fought SEC Championship. Soon enough, PicKell believes LSU will be competing in the national championship.

“I would be wildly surprised if Brian Kelly does not win a national title LSU before it’s all said and done,” PicKell said. “But, this year, the key word for me is consistency. This machine is going to get rolling, but to assume it’s just completely at cruising altitude just yet. I don’t know if that’s the case.”

Fans won’t have to wait long to see what altitude LSU is crusing at. The Tigers will kick off their season on Sept. 3 as they take on the Florida State Seminoles.