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Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports
ESPN senior writer Mark Schlabach released his 2023 Way-Too-Early Top 25 and ranked LSU at No. 8. Here's what he had to say about the Tigers:
quote:

8. LSU Tigers
2022 record: 10-4, 6-2 SEC

Expected returning starters: 10 offense, 5 defense, 2 special teams

Expected key losses: WR Kayshon Boutte, CB Jarrick Bernard-Converse, DL Ali Gaye, DL Jaquelin Roy, LB BJ Ojulari, S Jay Ward, CB Mekhi Garner

Expected key additions: CB Denver Harris, WR Aaron Anderson, DT Paris Shand, DT Jalen Lee, DE Bradyn Swinson, DT Jordan Jefferson, WR Shelton Sampson Jr., CB Javien Toviano, CB Zy Alexander

Outlook: After all the concerns about whether former Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly would be a good cultural fit at LSU, he proved to be what he has always been -- a good football coach. The Tigers won 10 games, stunned Alabama and captured the SEC West in his first season. Quarterback Jayden Daniels will return, along with all five starting offensive linemen. Receiver Malik Nabers is a future NFL first-round pick after catching 72 passes for 1,017 yards in 2022. The Tigers will have some holes to fill on defense, but the return of defensive tackle Maason Smith from a torn ACL will outweigh any of them. Kelly dipped into the transfer portal to land Shand, Lee and Swinson to give them SEC-like depth on the defensive front. The Tigers open the 2023 season against Florida State in Orlando, and play SEC road games at Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Missouri and Alabama.
Here's the Top 10:
1. Georgia Bulldogs
2. Ohio State Buckeyes
3. Michigan Wolverines
4. Florida State Seminoles
5. Alabama Crimson Tide
6. Penn State Nittany Lions
7. USC Trojans
8. LSU Tigers
9. Oregon Ducks
10. Tennessee Volunteers

Is LSU too high? Too Low? What do you think...

Here's LSU's schedule for next season:

Sept. 3 at Florida State (in Orlando)
Sept. 9 vs. Grambling
Sept. 16 at Mississippi State
Sept. 23 vs. Arkansas
Sept. 30 at Ole Miss
Oct. 7 at Missouri
Oct. 14 vs. Auburn
Oct. 21 vs. Army
BYE
Nov. 4 at Alabama
Nov. 11 vs. Florida
Nov. 18 vs. Georgia State
Nov. 25 vs. Texas A&M
Filed Under: LSU Football
27 Comments
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HubbaBubba18 months
LOL when UTSA and James Madison make the top 25 and a powerhouse program doesn't. Looking at you Oklahoma.
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Chauvin5219 months
11-1
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eddieray19 months
Why are they releasing it if it’s way too early? I hate these things. We don’t even have any linebackers yet but we’re ranked 8th
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chimesstreet19 months
No Clemson. Beautiful.
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HeadSlash19 months
Why do they keep fricking with the ole miss game? What about tradition and all that?
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FlyinTiger9319 months
11-1, but 12-0 is possible.
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MasonTiger19 months
Three Big10 teams. LMAO.
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BatonRougeBuckeye18 months
Well 2 of the 3 finished in the top 4 this year and Penn State was only a few spots behind so is it really a stretch to think that might happen again?
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Geaux Guy19 months
Surprised they couldn’t get USC in to the top 5
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Koolazzkat19 months
ESPN done fell and hit its head.
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warlock197419 months
Alabama #5
OMG!!!
End of Days
“Human sacrifice! Dogs and cats living together! Mass hysteria!”
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cajunmud19 months
CBS also has us at #8.
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Robber DeNiro19 months
Florida State #4???? Over Bama???
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cajunmud19 months
They must have a lot of folks coming back including that slippery QB. In recruiting they're currently 16. But higher than Bama...nah.
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BayouFann19 months
I think FSU lit it up in the transfer portal
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Corso19 months
Responding to the transfer portal comment, FSU has the #1 portal class and got another 4 star in DE Gilber Edmond today from South Carolina. Top 5 is too high for me but I understand the hype with 17 starters back including Jordan Travis and potential 1st rounder Jared Verse along with this portal class
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Nix to Twillie19 months
The only people concerned about BK being a “cultural fit” at LSU are fricking morons
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Woodlands Tigah19 months
Aka "Aggys"
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Cwils222219 months
One day these idiots will fall out of love with the Big 10
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MintBerry Crunch19 months
One day the Big 10 will actually get to the title game to be able to face an SEC opponent
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DeafVallyBatnR19 months
Michigan could not beat the team that got beat 65 to 7. LOL
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CrystalPreserves19 months
Too low. Should be at least 6.
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brmark7081619 months
FSU at 4?
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toosleaux19 months
He also has Florida State starting at #4. If these rankings are anywhere near accurate, that will be a massively hyped game to start week 1.
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Gondor19 months
I believe Florida State will be a much better later in the season than for game #1. Much like LSU last year. If they don't schedule a "week zero" game, it will be the first time playing together. Yeah, you could say the same about the LSU defense especiall the CBs.
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kbartj19 months
They do not have a week zero game
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BurrowToChase19 months
Fsu is overhyped. Also usc. Media want them both to be back so bad its pathetic
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