LSU Tigers Tumble 12 Spots in AP Poll Following Overtime Loss To Kentucky

The LSU Tigers' overtime loss to the Kentucky Wildcats has resulted in an expected drop in the rankings.

The updated AP Poll was released on Sunday afternoon, and the Tigers fell from No. 10 to No. 22, right on the edge of being unranked. It always felt absurd that the Wildcats weren't ranked after their start, but they jumped back up into the list at No. 15. LSU now sits with a 4-2 record and an uphill battle to climb into that College Football Playoff range.

The Tigers have games remaining against the No. 16, No. 6, No. 7 and No. 14 teams (in that order). Only one of those is on the road, at least. If they win out, they'll certainly jump back into the top. Few will have the confidence that they have what it takes to win all of those games, though.

The offense had its moments on Saturday, where Charlie Weis Jr. was able to draw a few things up to catch Kentucky off-guard, but it was another night where the fanbase left frustrated with Sam Leavitt.

Leavitt's biggest mistakes actually ended up not even mattering in this game. There was a turnover on downs after his interception, and a missed 26-yard field goal after the ugly late fumble. It was the presence of the mistakes being a bit of a reversion back to the previous version of play after a couple of games as a very reliable passer.

It was far from just his fault in this one, though, to be clear. The rushing attack had nothing really going for it (outside of Leavitt, actually). The blocking up front has been suspect on the ground at times this season, and this was a matchup they lost.

The defense also needs to go back to the drawing board, as this Wildcats offense found the same advantage over Blake Baker's zone coverage that the Ole Miss Rebels also exploited. There is time for zone, but LSU must be able to be versatile if it isn't working. It wasn't working in this one.

Kenny Minchey was able to pick apart the defense late when he was given time and his receivers were given space.

Both sides of the ball have more than enough talent to win any game they have played this season, and the coaching staff has been good overall. That's why it is frustrating to be near the bottom of the rankings after six weeks. 

The Tigers are just a few moments away from being undefeated this year. But it is those moments that define a season.