This past weekend was full of upsets, chaos and telling performances. The picture for the potential playoff teams has changed, and the chances of LSU being on that list increased tenfold.
LSU ended the weekend with its first Southeastern Conference win following a thrashing in Starkville, Mississippi, boosting its national AP ranking to No. 12, becoming the highest ranked team in the SEC West.
Given its loss to Florida State in the first game of the season, LSU’s best chance of making the college football playoffs relies on the SEC Championship. As the best team in the SEC West, that chance is getting better.
Alabama and Tennessee show weakness
This past weekend, two teams who were previously ranked higher than LSU dropped to a ranking below them: No. 23 Tennessee and No. 14 Alabama.
Tennessee, which was previously ranked No. 11, fell in a convincing loss to the Florida Gators. Led by running back Trevor Etienne, the Gators dominated the Volunteers at home, cruising to their first SEC victory.
Tennessee was stunned. As the clear favorites going into the game, its time in the swamp was less than favorable. Quarterback Joe Milton and the Tennessee offense looked disoriented and out of place for most of the game.
The Volunteers’ time in Florida magnifies their weaknesses. Although LSU won’t play them this season, the team’s loss and drop in rankings gets rid of one more competitor against the Tigers.
Alabama, which was ranked No. 10 last week and No. 3 before the season began, secured a win against South Florida, but it wasn’t pretty.
Ending with a final score of 17-3, Alabama went into the first half tied at 3-3. Head coach Nick Saban decided to bench quarterback Jalen Milroe, who led the Crimson Tide into its loss against Texas. That benching seemed to cause more harm than good.
Alabama’s other two quarterbacks, Tyler Buchner and Ty Simpson, combined for a whopping 107 passing yards on 43% completion. The passing game was nonexistent for the Crimson Tide, and its saving grace was the running back duo of Roydell Williams and Jase McClellan.
The problems in Tuscaloosa seem to only be getting worse. The loss against Texas was hard fought and against a top-10 opponent, but the team’s play hasn’t improved. Even though Alabama won, its performance against South Florida shows their struggles are far from gone.
With an unclear quarterback and a heavy reliance on the run game, the Crimson Tide is far from the dominant power they once were. As the highest ranked team in the SEC West besides LSU, their former throne is for the taking.
Dark horses emerging
Missouri has been turning heads this season, and its latest win came in a thrilling upset against No. 15 Kansas State. With a last second 61-yard field goal to win the game, the Tigers find themselves 3-0 and on a roll.
Snubbed out of the top 25, Mizzou is turning into a dark horse in the SEC. The team is on LSU’s schedule this year, and as it continues its season playing strong football, it can turn into a crucial ranked win for the Tigers down the line.
Florida obtained its first ranked win as well, beating No. 11 Tennessee at home. The Gators entered the season as an overlooked team. With its star Anthony Richardson leaving for the NFL, many thought this would be a rebuilding year for Florida.
Head coach Billy Napier had other ideas, and he’s beginning to prove the doubters wrong. Starting the year off with a loss to now No. 11 Utah, the Gators seem to have found themselves on the field. The running game is in full swing, and the defense looks strong.
Florida squeezed into this week’s top 25 list at No. 25, but its rank is bound to improve if the team continues playing like it did against Tennessee. Traveling to Baton Rouge this year, the Gators could become an important win for the Tigers as they make their case for the playoffs.
No. 15 Ole Miss remains 3-0 with a ranked win over Tulane under their belt, and they stand as a strong test for the Tigers. Quarterback Jaxson Dart is returning with the Rebels for vengeance against LSU as they travel to Oxford.
The Rebels are an important opponent for the Tigers, and securing an LSU win would improve their odds of a playoff berth. Ole Miss looks to be the biggest test for the Tigers in the West with their deadly offense and home field advantage.
What it means for LSU
As the rankings stand, the Tigers now have five opponents in the top 25 with the possibility of more being added. Their loss to Florida State likely keeps them out of the top four based on schedule alone, but their SEC Championship route is becoming more promising.
As their regular season opponents continue to show increasing problems, the Tigers look potentially likely to win the SEC West.
Alabama is struggling greatly with its offense, and Texas A&M dropped from the rankings following an unranked loss to Miami. Ole Miss is beginning to be the only team without drastic issues, and their matchup against LSU will be difficult, but it can go either way.
Assuming LSU wins the rest of the season, its test comes in the SEC Championship against No. 1 Georgia. The Bulldogs have kept quiet at the top with three unranked wins, but they have yet to be seriously tested on the field.
The Tigers still look deserving of the No. 1 spot, but bigger upsets have happened before. LSU isn’t out of the picture yet.
As the season continues and chaos ensues, LSU’s projections seem to only be getting better. The team is showing their potential as the offense continues to fire on all cylinders and the defense begins to buff out their kinks, and something special could happen as the Tigers find themselves leading their division.
