ESPN's Heather Dinich Updates LSU's Playoff Outlook Following Ole Miss Loss

Despite suffering its first loss of the season against Ole Miss on Saturday night, LSU remains firmly in the College Football Playoff picture, according to ESPN's Heather Dinich.

In her latest projection of the CFP Top 12 following Week 3, Dinich has the Tigers ranked No. 8, citing LSU's competitive performance in a hostile environment in Oxford and the team's opportunity to tie the game in the final minute.

Dinich also noted that LSU's remaining schedule, including upcoming matchups against Alabama and Texas, will play a major role in determining where the Tigers ultimately land in the playoff race.

Here's what Dinich had to say about LSU's playoff outlook:

quote:

---

8. LSU Tigers (2-1)
Why they could be here: The selection committee will consider the intangibles of playing on the road in Kiffin's return to Oxford, the hostile environment, and the fact that LSU had a chance to tie the score in the final minute. It helped LSU a little bit that Clemson found a way to earn a comeback win against UNC and avoid more embarrassment, but the turnover from quarterback Sam Leavitt against Ole Miss was his fourth in two games.

Why they could be lower: Some committee members could vote the Hoosiers higher because they haven't lost and continue to look dominant. There are also still legitimate questions about the true value of a win against Clemson.

Need to know: The committee will honor the head-to-head result as long as the records remain comparable, but Ole Miss has one of the most difficult remaining schedules in the country. If the Rebels stumble multiple times and LSU rebounds to have fewer losses, Saturday's result might not be the final determination in the room.

Toughest remaining game: Nov. 14 vs. Texas. The Nov. 7 game against Alabama is looking more difficult each week as the Tide improve, but if LSU can't win that one, the following week against Texas will be even more critical.

---