It has been only a few years since LSU won a national championship with, arguably, the greatest offense the sport has ever seen.
Things are different now. Very different. The expectations haven’t changed: win a national championship. But the roster is in the midst of an overhaul, and Brian Kelly is the man tasked with reimagining LSU.
To say that challenge would be difficult in 2022 would be an understatement. The conference is improving from top to bottom, and new national title contenders are emerging.
And yet, beyond Kelly’s pretty immaculate track record, there are elements of hope on the current roster.
LSU has some fascinating options at quarterback. Myles Brennan and Jayden Daniels have both flashed in key moments. While having two quarterbacks often isn’t considered a good thing, Kelly will gladly take it here.
He will also enjoy having Kayshon Boutte, one of the best wideouts in all of college football. An injury shortened his 2021 effort, but make no mistake about it - this is the next great LSU wideout.
The defense is not without its playmakers, which should feel normal. BJ Ojulari should generate more pressure than most defensive linemen in college football, and there are enough pieces back to at least generate some intrigue.
But…is it enough? And can LSU hang with teams that have better rosters?
That feels odd to say about this program, but it really isn’t. The future betting markets reflect a fascinating picture.
LSU Odds 2022: National Championship & Win Total
All LSU NCAAF betting odds are current as of Sunday, July 10 at 11 a.m. ET at Caesars Sportsbook.
- Win National Championship: +5000
- Win Total: 7 (Over +100 / Under -130)
- Win SEC: +4000
LSU Schedule:
| Game | Opponent |
|---|---|
| Week 1 | Florida State |
| Week 2 | Southern |
| Week 3 | Mississippi State |
| Week 4 | New Mexico |
| Week 5 | @ Auburn |
| Week 6 | Tennessee |
| Week 7 | @ Florida |
| Week 8 | Ole Miss |
| Week 9 | Alabama |
| Week 10 | @ Arkansas |
| Week 11 | UAB |
| Week 12 | @ Texas A&M |
LSU Key Games:
LSU vs Florida State (9/4/2022)
- Game of the Year Line: LSU -3 at Betway
- Brian Kelly is 42-6 as head coach in his last 48 games
- Florida State has won the last four matchups
LSU vs Alabama (11/5/2022):
- Game of the Year Line: Alabama -14.5 at Betway
- Alabama leads the series 55-26-5
- Alabama has won two straight in series
LSU at Texas A&M (11/26/2022):
- LSU leads the series 35-22-3
- LSU won last year’s game, 27-24
LSU Win Total Bet
LSU: Over 7 Wins (+100) at Caesars
Wager: 1 Unit
It’s perfectly reasonable to question just how different this first season under Kelly might look. And to be clear, the 2022 Tigers will be nothing close to a finished product.
But the schedule, especially early, isn’t horrible. Beating Florida State in Week 1 is crucial. If they do so, the Tigers could very well start 4-0. With UAB on the back end, there are five potential wins right there.
Alabama and Texas A&M will likely be losses, but many of the SEC games on the docket feel winnable. While eight wins won’t do Kelly favors in that state, it seems like a solid (and attainable) start for the new head coach.
