I mapped a couple of LSU’s playoff paths. Neither comes with blood pressure meds..

Before anyone says it: yes, LSU has to win out. And yes, that’s a tall order. But if they pull it off, Kentucky-Tennessee could decide which path we take.

Both scenarios start here:

- LSU wins out. Finish 10–2.
- Georgia wins out. Finish 11–1.
- Texas and Georgia beat Ole Miss. That gives Ole Miss three losses.
- LSU hands Alabama and Texas their third loss.
- Mississippi State takes one more loss.

Path 1: Kentucky beats Tennessee

- Kentucky wins out.
- Tennessee loses to Kentucky and LSU. Three losses.
- Georgia and Kentucky go to Atlanta.
- LSU stays home at 10–2.
- Georgia, Kentucky, and LSU are the only SEC teams with two losses or fewer.

LSU waits for an at-large bid.

Path 2: Tennessee beats Kentucky

- Tennessee wins its other games except LSU.
- Kentucky wins its other games.
- LSU, Tennessee, and Kentucky all finish 10–2. All three are 7–2 in the SEC.
- Head-to-head is a circle. Each goes 1–1.
- Shared opponents are Alabama and A&M.
- LSU and Tennessee go 2–0. Kentucky goes 1–1.
- Kentucky drops out. LSU’s win over Tennessee breaks the tie.

LSU plays Georgia in Atlanta. Win that, and we’re in.

Lose, and we’re 10–3. I’m assuming three losses won’t get an at-large bid.

Outside the SEC, helpful results would be:

- BYU beats Utah. Utah also loses one more.
- Utah and Baylor beat Houston.
- Ohio State, Indiana, and UCLA beat USC.
- Miami wins the ACC. No surprise champ taking another spot.

If Path 1 happens, here’s my projected bracket. Seeds are my guess.

First-round byes:

- 1. BYU 13–0
- 2. Ohio State 12–1
- 3. Georgia 12–1
- 4. Miami 12–1

First-round games:

- No. 12 Boise State at No. 5 Texas Tech
- No. 11 LSU at No. 6 Notre Dame
- No. 10 Iowa at No. 7 Indiana
- No. 9 Kentucky at No. 8 UCLA

I’d give LSU the last at-large spot over a 10–2 Utah.

Path 2 changes that field. Kentucky and Tennessee would still have 10–2 cases. But LSU could settle its own case by beating Georgia.

Would you rather sit at 10–2 and wait or play Georgia for a guaranteed spot?

Pie in the sky? Probably. Let’s win one week at a time and see what happens.