Ranking the Toughest Games on LSU’s 2015 College Football Schedule
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @HogManInLA
*Original post-date on Athlon Sports Aug. 13
Few college football coaches have achieved the kind of success Les Miles has on the field. Since arriving in Baton Rouge in 2005 the Tigers have played for a BCS National Championship (2011) and won a BCS National Championship (2007) with the “Mad Hatter compiling a win-loss record of 103-29 and 56-24 in SEC play.
With all of the success and talent that Miles has trotted out onto the field in Tiger Stadium, he has now built a monster of expectations that few could live up to year after year. The Tigers have been to a bowl game every year under Miles setting another high water mark of 6-4 in post season play. Although the 2014 season was a successful season by most programs’ standards, finishing 8-5 was a low water mark for Miles tying his worst record in Baton Rouge set in 2008.
The 2014 season was tough after returning six starters on offense and six on defense. The 2015 squad has the same feel with seven returning on offense and six on defense but the one familiar thread between the two seasons is the uncertainty under center.
If the Tigers can get consistent play from whoever gets the nod at quarterback, the 2015 schedule lines up favorably for LSU.
Based on preseason rankings, team matchup history, game location, and returning experience, a ranking of LSU’s 12 regular season games from easiest to toughest has been put together for a fun debate.
No. 12 – McNeese State at LSU, Sept. 5
When the media starts their annual uninformed diatribe about the lack of quality non-conference opponents SEC teams play, the Tigers’ season opener is why. The Cowboys finished 6-5 last year coming out of the Southland Conference. McNeese state is the proverbial cupcake warm up game for LSU but they did give No. 19 Nebraska a scare in the 2014 season opener before falling 31-24.
Opening with McNeese State is a far cry from last year’s opener against No. 14 Wisconsin but serves as a good tune-up before jumping into SEC action against Mississippi State in Game 2.
No. 11 Eastern Michigan at LSU, Oct. 3
Quick, which conference is Eastern Michigan in? If you answered the MAC, you are correct. If you guessed the MAC, good guess. If you are a LSU fan and did not know, no worries. The Eagles only won two games last year and were chased out of the Swamp by the Gators 65-0 and beat up on by in-state big brother Michigan State 73-14.
No. 10 LSU at Syracuse, Sept. 26
On paper this game is a SEC vs. ACC matchup or Power 5 Conference on Power 5 Conference. The reality is Syracuse has struggled to remain a .500 team over the last five seasons. The Orange’s 2014 campaign might have been rock bottom for the program finishing 3-9. Things do not look much brighter with four starters back on offense and three on defense.
Syracuse could enter the LSU game 3-0 if senior quarterback Terrel Hunt is firing on all cylinders. The Orange has a couple of decent tailbacks and a threat in the passing game with wide receiver Steve Ishmael. Syracuse’s defense was actually hardnosed last year finishing ranked No. 26 in the nation.
No. 9 Western Kentucky at LSU, Oct. 24
Easily one of the more entertaining games LSU will play this season. The Hilltoppers had the nation’s top passer in 2014 with Brandon Doughty, and he is returning after passing for 4,830 yards with 49 touchdowns against just 10 picks. WKU also returns their top rusher, Leon Allen, and his 1,500 yards along with their top receiver, Jared Dangerfield, and his 69 receptions for 825 yards with 11 touchdowns.
WKU was the nation’s No. 4 total offense compiling 535 yards per game. LSU had the nation’s No. 9 total defense and kept up the “DBU” (defensive back university) motto only allowing 164 yards per game in the air, ranked No. 3 in the nation.
This game may fall as the ninth toughest game of the year but easily could be a Top 5 in terms of football enjoyment watching two great squads lineup strength-on-strength.
No. 8 LSU at South Carolina, Oct. 10
A SEC road trip to Williams-Brice Stadium gets a downgrade in “toughness” coming off a 7-6 season in 2014 and no clear proof of improvement in 2015. The Gamecocks have a quarterback battle going on between Connor Mitch and Perry Orth, running back Brandon Wilds is talented but oft injured, and the front seven on defense is highly questionable sans linebacker Skai Moore.
South Carolina is in the middle of a rebuilding or rebranding of their offense and defense, plus they are very young.
No. 7 Florida at LSU, Oct. 17
In years past this game would be a “can’t miss” game but times have been tough in Gainesville over the past two seasons. A reboot under first-year head coach Jim McElwain is underway but Florida’s lack of playmakers and depth on the offensive line may make this a one-sided affair.
Florida rolls into Baton Rouge after playing at Kentucky, vs. Tennessee, vs. Ole Miss, and at LSU with the “World’s Largest Cocktail Party” scheduled the following week – absolutely brutal.
No. 6 LSU at Mississippi State, Sept. 2
When the Tigers travel to Starkville Les Miles might be in the middle of a quandary not resolved from fall camp, a proven leader under center. Mississippi State has the potential to be a very solid program despite only returning seven total starters.
MSU opens against Southern Miss so very little of head coach Dan Mullen and returning starting quarterback Dak Prescott’s hand will be shown then. The other looming problem for the Tigers is the potential to look past MSU in Week 2 for Auburn at home in Week 3.
No. 5 LSU at Ole Miss, Nov. 21
The final five games in the rankings could be argued one way or the other in regards to level of difficulty depending on how one sees it. Playing in Vaught-Hemmingway Stadium has become far more difficult, just ask Alabama, and winning on the road in the SEC is not an easy task.
The Rebels are a very talented team but also full of a lot of question marks on offense. Like LSU, Mississippi must solve the starting quarterback problem. The Rebels’ problems do not stop there needing a consistent rushing attack and a healthy Laquon Treadwell in hopes of a standout season.
Ole Miss has a tough stretch leading up to LSU’s visit traveling to Memphis, hosting Texas A&M, at Auburn, vs. Arkansas, and then the Tigers before finishing the season in the annual Egg Bowl on the road against Mississippi State.
No. 4 Texas A&M at LSU, Nov. 28
At this point in the season LSU is either a team with somewhere big to go or fighting to maintain their football reputation. What could make this game even tougher is John Chavis. Chavis was LSU’s defensive coordinator from 2009 until an offseason split came at the end of last season with Aggies head coach Kevin Sumlin jumping on the opportunity to hire one of the game’s best. What opposing coach will know the Tigers offense and personnel better than Chavis?
No. 3 Arkansas at LSU, Nov. 14
The final four games of the season are where Miles and company will earn their paychecks and tuition monies. The Hogs are a mirrored image of the Tigers but have better returning experience on offense.
LSU is sure to remember the 17-0 beating they took in Fayetteville last year but might be a little beat up coming home after a tough road game to Alabama.
No. 2 LSU at Alabama, Nov. 7
With Alabama in mind the Crimson Tide comes in as the second toughest game of the season. One could argue LSU has a pretty easy six week schedule from Auburn in Week 3 to Bama in Week 10, Game 9. The Tigers should be fresh especially coming off a bye after the Western Kentucky game.
The Tigers could once again play spoiler to Alabama or Alabama could play spoiler to LSU, either way a very big game for both squads late in the season.
No. 1 Auburn at LSU, Sept. 19
The way individuals count returning starters, Auburn should be in trouble in 2015. Only three starters of consequence return out of five listed but there is far more depth and talent on the roster making these Tigers extremely dangerous.
LSU will have this game circled as a revenge game after getting tossed around 41-7 in Jordan-Hare last year. Auburn opens with what should be a tough game against Louisville in Atlanta and then get an instructional “fix what’s wrong” game against Jacksonville State. LSU could be pushed against MSU or could be coming off a going away win.
Whoever wins jumps out of the gate early as the SEC West favorite.
Photo credit: nola.com; Leonard Fournette goes over the top against Florida.