Ranking the most challenging games on LSU's 2024 schedule

LSU is just over a month from the start of the season and with the start of fall camp coming up, it’s time to take one more big-picture look at the season as a whole as we begin to set expectations for the year.

Here, we’re ranking LSU’s season schedule in terms of most challenging, going from 12 to 1 and in four different tiers. The expectations for Brian Kelly this year is to make the playoffs and a tough schedule will stand in the Tigers’ way. Here’s a breakdown of the schedule and what to know.

The Gimmes

12. LSU vs. Nicholls State – Sept. 7

11. LSU vs. South Alabama – Sept. 28

10. LSU vs. Vanderbilt – Nov. 23

9. LSU vs. UCLA – Sept. 21

LSU will be double-digit favorites in all of these games and should win them comfortably playing at home. The Tigers are currently -18.5 point favorites against the Bruins and the rest of the games here should all be spreads of 21+.

These are the games where you’ll get to see a lot of the young guys, backups, as the starters should take care of business early, put up big numbers, and rest for the upcoming weeks. Three of these five come in the first five games of the season, and should get the Tigers off to a roaring start before SEC play really starts (sorry South Carolina). The South Alabama game is followed by LSU’s first bye week before its game against Ole Miss, making it the perfect time to make sure everyone is happy and healthy before jumping into conference play. 

Road conference games…against bottom half SEC teams

8. LSU @ Arkansas – Oct. 19

7. LSU @ South Carolina – Sept. 14

6. LSU @ Florida – Nov. 16

These are all very losable games if LSU is not ready, but on paper, these are three teams the Tigers should be much better than. Arkansas has a new quarterback, but still lacks talent on both sides after losing Raheim Sanders. Meanwhile, the Gamecocks added Sanders, but lose Spencer Rattler and Xavier Legette on offense, and once again should be in the bottom tier of the SEC.The South Carolina game is at 11 a.m., which actually gives me more confidence in LSU than if it was a later game.

Playing on the road at Florida is always daunting, and it is the most challenging game of this tier, but the defense is still a major concern for the Gators and it could look a lot like last year’s game between these two where the Tigers manage to outscore and outlast Florida in the end. LSU is currently favored by nearly a touchdown going into the season in this game, which feels appropriate. LSU should not lose any of these three games if it’s a serious playoff contender.

It’s how you start and how you finish

5. LSU vs. USC – Sept. 1

4. LSU vs. Oklahoma – Nov. 30

LSU has USC to start the season and Oklahoma to end it, both games are hugely important to the Tigers’ playoff hopes and a loss to either one could end those hopes.

LSU comes in at roughly a six-point favorite against USC about a month away and it’s a game that can break the Tigers’ season early on. If LSU can’t manage to win a neutral site game against a team that will barely be in the top 25, then it doesn’t deserve to be in the playoff conversation. This is not Florida State from the last two years, this is a USC team replacing Caleb Williams and with tons of question marks. A loss here would be crushing.

As for Oklahoma, a team probably just on the inside of the top 20 going into the year, the Sooners also have a new quarterback and some fun weapons, but could have one of the worst offensive lines of any team in the top 25. Who knows where these teams will be come Nov. 30, but going into the year, I’m OK penciling this in as a win at home for the Tigers.

The three defining games

3. LSU vs. Alabama – Nov. 9

These last three can be put in any order, really, but in terms of most difficult, I’m OK with putting Alabama three for a couple of reasons. For one, it’s in Tiger Stadium and we know the advantage that is. Secondly, I don’t really trust Alabama’s weapons this year, and it’s part of the reason I think Milroe will have a big year statistically, but the Tide could have an inconsistent offense. 

Defensively, there shouldn’t be an expectation of a significant drop off for Alabama, but there’s enough talent on LSU’s offensive line to potentially dictate the line of scrimmage and help let Garrett Nussmeier settle in. LSU is favored in this game going into the season and while I think it will be a tight game, I think the Tigers could have the edge.

2. LSU vs. Ole Miss – Oct. 12

This is a game I don’t feel good about going in. I know, I know “you can’t build a program through the transfer portal”, well Lane Kiffin has certainly built himself a playoff team through the portal. Furthermore, the list of high-level returners is equally as impressive with Jaxson Dart, Tre Harris, Cade Prieskorn, Jared Ivey, among others all back helping lead an experienced roster.

Lane Kiffin seemed a step ahead of LSU last year and I know it’s a new coaching staff for the Tigers, but the Rebels’ offensive personnel and scheme will lead to another high-scoring shootout where the Tigers need to be perfect. It’s going to be one of the games of the week across the country. 

1. LSU @ Texas A&M – Oct. 26

Maybe it’s the fact that the last time LSU played in Kyle Field, it was the worst game of the Brian Kelly era, but playing on the road here is not a comfortable spot. It’s the only game Vegas has LSU as underdog’s in entering the year and while it’s not a team without its flaws, Conner Weigman is a quality quarterback and the talent on defense is still that of a team that could give LSU some trouble with Mike Elko as the head coach. 

It will be the ultimate test of resolve for this LSU team under Brian Kelly. Of the five best teams LSU plays this year, this is the only one not in Tiger Stadium or on a neutral site. This could be the culminating moment for Brian Kelly and a win here would greatly increase the Tigers’ playoff chances at the end of the season.