LSU schedule sets up nicely

After looking closely at our schedule this year, although no doubt it's one of the toughest in the country, it sets up very nicely in terms of who we play when and who our opponents play the week prior. For obvious reasons, Oregon (because it's the first game), Northwestern, and Western Kentucky aren't worth discussing.

1. Sept 3 - Oregon

2. Sept 10 - Northwestern State

3. Sept 15 - @Mississippi State
Although it's a short week on the road, LSU is coming off Northwestern State, whereas MSU is coming off a road game at Auburn. LSU should be able to rest a good deal of their starters.

4. Sept 24 - @West Virginia
Definitely a tough game, but the benefit of playing MSU on a Thursday gives LSU extra time to prepare/rest. Plus, West Virginia comes off playing @Maryland, by no means a gimme win for them

*Interesting side note - West Virginia faces Crowton the week before. Wonder how much Kragthorpe will try to open up the playbook against WVU?

5. Oct 1 - Kentucky
Kentucky plays Florida the week before, which should be a very physical contest.

6. Oct 8 - Florida
Florida plays Alabama the week before. Florida will be lucky to come out of that game completely healthy, whereas LSU should have an easy win against Kentucky.

7. Oct 15 - @Tennessee
Tennessee plays Georgia the week before, a tough game.

8. Oct 22 - Auburn
Auburn will be coming off tough games against Florida and Arkansas the two weeks before LSU.

9. Nov 5 - @Alabama
Although Bama is coming off a bye week, so is LSU. No scheduling advantage for either school.

10. Nov 12 - Western Kentucky

11. Nov 19 - @ Ole Miss
Ole Miss is coming off a game against La Tech, but we will have played an inferior opponent in WKU as well.

12. Nov 25 - Arkansas
Both teams have a short week, but Arkansas will be coming off a home game against MSU, a tougher game than LSU will play against Ole MIss.

13. Dec 3 - SEC Championship
Should LSU make it, the benefit off playing Arkansas on Friday is that it gives LSU an extra day to prepare for whoever the opponent is.

The point is, as tough as LSU's schedule is, no opponent we play will have a competitive advantage because of their respective schedules. We only play one team that plays a cupcake the week prior (Ole Miss) and we play Western Kentucky that same week. We only play one team coming off a bye (Alabama) and we have a bye the same week. Other than Ole Miss, every conference opponent will be coming off a conference game the week before they play LSU. Frankly, we need all the luck we can get when it comes to this schedule, and I think it sets up as well as it possibly can in LSU's favor.