Unanimously ranked as a top five team in the country, all eyes are on LSU baseball as the Tigers begin their 2024 season this week.

Led by head coach Jay Johnson, the Tigers have all the tools they need to become the best team in college baseball in back-to-back years. 

All-American third baseman Tommy White and star pitcher Thatcher Hurd lead the returning talent for the Tigers, as well as senior catching duo Hayden Travinski and Alex Milazzo. 

Pitcher Gage Jump and shortstop Michael Braswell III headline the transfer class of reinforcements for Johnson, alongside star incoming freshmen Cam Johnson and Jake Brown.

As they look to defend their 2023 National Championship, others look for revenge. The Tigers will need to run the gauntlet this year to make it back to the College World Series, and these teams may be the most likely to stop them. 

Texas

The Longhorns are the first ranked opponent on LSU’s schedule, and although they only play once, the Tigers play them early in the season, which could prove to be trouble. Texas, on the other hand, brings back the majority of their experienced talent from the MLB draft for another year in Austin. 

The Longhorns did lose two of their best offensive performers in Dylan Campbell and Eric Kennedy, but their two best pitchers are returning to Texas.

As LSU’s first formidable opponent since last year’s College World Series, Texas may be in for more than it bargained for as the purple and gold will likely try to ramp up their season with a statement top 10 win in Houston.

Prediction: LSU 9-6 Texas

Florida

As one of the most prominent programs in recent years, the Gators are on the hunt this season. Famously losing to LSU by 14 runs in the final game of the College World Series, Florida will be more than motivated to make a statement against the Tigers.

Jac Caglianone, arguably the best player in college baseball, is returning to Gainesville for 2024, leading another star-studded cast assembled by head coach Kevin O’Sullivan. The Tigers will have two things in their favor when they take on the Gators, though.

Florida lost a significant amount of talent in the MLB Draft, including their top two pitchers, who will be hard to replace on defense. The Southeastern Conference series will take place in Baton Rouge as well, and with over 13,000 fans in Alex Box, the atmosphere could be the difference in what will be a title for revenge. 

Prediction: LSU wins series 2-1

Arkansas

The next weekend after playing Florida, the Tigers will have to travel to Fayetteville to take on the No. 2 ranked Razorbacks. Projected to finish above LSU in the SEC West, Arkansas will be LSU’s most difficult matchup of the regular season. 

The Razorbacks are one of a handful of teams to have arguably a better pitching staff than LSU, bringing back their top four pitchers from last year. The loss in talent on offense is heavily reinforced by their talent on defense, and with big hitters Cade Beloso and Dylan Crews no longer in Baton Rouge, their bullpen could prove to be difficult for the Tigers. 

With the matchup set in Arkansas, the purple and gold will have their true test in this series. 

Prediction: Arkansas wins series 2-1

Texas A&M

After a disappointing 2023 season, the Aggies revamped their lineup with a set of new faces. Outfielder Braden Montgomery transferred from Stanford among other new arrivals in College Station, and freshman All-American Jace LaViolette returns as a promising asset for the Aggies.

Ranked No. 8 by DI Baseball, Texas A&M holds the potential to be a dangerous team in the SEC West with all of its new pieces coming together. Its upside is exciting, but with the departure of pitching coach Nate Yeskie to the Tigers, the matchup seems in favor of LSU regardless of the hype surrounding the Aggies.

Prediction: LSU wins series 3-0

Auburn

As a non ranked team coming into the season, the Auburn Tigers could be a dark horse in the SEC. With the majority of the cast returning for the 2024 season, experience is Auburn’s strength as they’ll try and push their way into the rankings. Pitcher Joseph Gonzalez, who was extraordinary in 2022, is returning from injury, which will add to their value.

LSU’s matchup with their Tiger rivals is far from written off. Coming toward the back end of the season, LSU struggled with injuries in the bullpen last year, leading to a series upset against Auburn. Although this year the series takes place in Baton Rouge, the LSU versus Auburn matchup could be on upset watch. 

Prediction: Auburn wins series 2-1

Overall, a successful season is in store for the purple and gold. Although the SEC has eight teams ranked in the top 25, and five teams ranked in the top 10, LSU should enter the postseason as one of the best teams in college baseball.

Bolstered by the transfer portal, the Tigers have one of the deepest pitching staffs in the country and are on the hunt for another championship. The season starts Friday, February 16th in Alex Box against VMI.

LSU season record prediction: 44-12