Ricky Dimon
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Joe Burrow ain’t walkin’ through that door. Neither is Coach O, for that matter.
It’s a new era for the LSU Tigers, who saw Burrow get drafted No. 1 overall in 2020 and have welcomed in head coach Brian Kelly to replace Ed Orgeron. The Tigers won it all in 2019, but the past two seasons were borderline disasters by their lofty standards. Will Kelly be able to turn it around right away in Baton Rouge? It’s possible, as LSU is expected to be a lot better than it was last year – albeit if not a National Championship contender.
With the 2022 college football season just a few weeks away, it’s time to break down the Tigers.
LSU Tigers 2022 college football season odds
Odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook
LSU National Championship odds
LSU is +9000 to win the College Football Playoff. That has it tied with Miami (FL), Florida, Oregon and Oklahoma State as the 13th favorites.
LSU SEC Championship odds
The Tigers are +7000 to triumph in the SEC. They are the seventh favorites, well behind the likes of Alabama (-145) and Georgia (+155).
LSU SEC West odds
LSU is +3000 to book a spot in the SEC Championship by winning the West Division. Alabama is a massive -600 favorite.
LSU Tigers 2021 season recap
Orgeron’s final season with the Tigers was not a memorable one. They at least managed to get into a bowl game, but that’s only because there are about a million bowl games these days and even 6-6 teams (such as LSU) can participate. Everyone’s a winner! Of course, the Tigers were not winners in their bowl game. Their 2021 campaign went from bad to worse with a 42-20 blowout at the hands of Kansas State. Thus the Tigers finished the year 6-7 (3-5 SEC), undone by a 1-5 stretch midway through the year. LSU’s offense was inconsistent with Max Johnson at quarterback its defense was unusually bad; it gave up 38 points to UCLA, 42 to Kentucky, 31 to Ole Miss and then 42 to Kansas State.
LSU Tigers 2022 college football season predictions
Kelly’s presence alone inspires optimism, as he did extremely well for himself at his previous head-coaching stops (Grand Valley State, Central Michigan, Cincinnati and Notre Dame). I’m not saying Kelly is going to instantly return LSU to national title contention, but he should do enough in year one to make people forget – well, sort of – about viral videos gone wrong involving fake southern accents and dancing with recruits.
Kelly has plenty to work with from a player personnel standpoint and his first order of business will be to answer the quarterback question. There are three options: veteran Myles Brennan, transfer Jayden Daniels and freshman Garrett Nussmeier. Kayshon Boutte is an emerging star at receiver, so whoever wins the QB job will have some help. Defensively the Tigers are young but – as always – wildly talented. Safety Jay Ward and defensive end BJ Ojulari are the reliable returnees, and they joined by a whole host of transfers and prize recruits. Expect improvement in Baton Rouge.
Best Bet: LSU Tigers over 8.5 total wins (+115)
Alabama is too good in the SEC West and LSU doesn’t appear to be a title contender in its own right, so the futures market is not particularly enticing. However, value can be found in win totals. The Tigers’ non-conference schedule is nothing special with Florida State, Southern, New Mexico and UAB. Plus they entertain both of their Mississippi conference rivals at home. LSU is good enough to capitalize on its opportunities. This may be a push, but I like the chances of 8 wins more than 6. So when you can get plus money on 7, it’s an opportunity that should be taken.
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