LSU Tigers Rise In AP Poll After Surviving Chaotic Week

In a chaotic week of college football, in which half of the top 10 lost and a handful of others struggled, the LSU Tigers handled business against the Mississippi State Bulldogs and were able to benefit from others’ defeats.

The AP released the latest Top 25 poll on Sunday afternoon. The Tigers rose four spots up to No. 18, right above the Texas Longhorns and Florida Gators. LSU is the sixth-highest ranking SEC school. They still play two teams ahead of them in the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Tennessee Volunteers.

Beating the Bulldogs without Kamario Taylor or Fluff Bothwell was never something that was going to boost the Tigers’ profile up much, but just surviving the week was enough for a bump this time.

LSU’s season is still certainly alive, but they can’t afford another loss. This past weekend makes the later season games at home against the Alabama Crimson Tide and Texas Longhorns seem more winnable, but they will still be tough and the Tigers have left no wiggle room.

This past weekend was a best-case scenario confidence builder for both sides of the ball. 

Sam Leavitt had his first game without a turnover. After he had a meltdown last weekend against the Kentucky Wildcats, it was nice to see him calm down and deliver the ball. It wasn’t even a perfect game from the offensive line, but he handled some unexpected pressure from the left side well.

The rest of this season rides on the decision-making of Leavitt. Injuries have hurt, but LSU still has plenty of talent to compete in these games. With Trey’Dez Green and Whit Weeks still expected to return this year, they just need to hold together until that happens.

Blake Baker’s zone scheme has been exploited a couple of times in the losses, but they are still and overall strong unit. They have an elite pass rush with talented playmakers in the secondary. With the right adjustments, they can carry this team far even if the offense has some struggles.

They only have one more week to go until the bye week arrives, allowing them to fully reset. It’s a much-needed break. But they have another tough matchup waiting for them next weekend against the Auburn Tigers, who still aren’t ranked, but are riding high after beating the formerly top-ranked Georgia Bulldogs this past weekend.

LSU will desperately need to take care of their consistent road struggles, but that environment won’t be easy to do it in as the fanbase will be rabid as they welcome Auburn back from the big win.