CBS Sports missed the mark with 2020 LSU football prediction

CBS Sports recently predicted how LSU football’s 2020 season will play out.

CBS Sports isn’t expecting LSU football to repeat as national champions in 2020.

In fact, they aren’t even predicting the Tigers to finish in the top two in the SEC West.

This past week, CBS Sports’ Barrett Sallee predicted that LSU will finish the 2020 season with a 9-3 record (5-3 in the SEC), which would be third in the SEC West (behind Alabama and Auburn).

This isn’t an egregious prediction by Sallee, but I think it misses the mark.

I also think there are a lot of analysts out there who are going to regret looking past LSU in 2020.

Why LSU football is winning more than nine games in 2020

There are only four games on LSU’s schedule that I think are “losable” for the Tigers this upcoming season.

Florida,  Alabama, Auburn, and Texas A&M.

I made some predictions of my own back in March and I have LSU finishing the regular season 10-2, with losses to Florida (that game is in The Swamp) and Auburn (also on the road).

It’s hard for me to predict that LSU will go 1-3 in those four games.

Alabama is in a similar situation as LSU. They won’t be as strong as last year after losing their star quarterback, but they still have plenty of talent.

Still, I think the Tigers will defend home turf in that matchup and walk away with a win.

As for Texas A&M?

I’m still not a big believer in overpaid Jimbo Fisher. Sure, he has a national championship under his belt, but he owes that title to Jameis Winston. Fisher left Tallahassee when the well was essentially running dry. That’s why I think LSU will beat the Aggies on the road.

A lot has been made about LSU losing so much talent to the NFL. But folks forget that Ja’Marr Chase and Derek Stingley Jr, the nation’s best wide receiver and defensive back duo, are still on the roster.

And then there’s quarterback Myles Brennan, who has a big arm and has received plenty of praise from Ed Orgeron this offseason.

LSU still has national championship-caliber talent.

Are the Tigers going 15-0 and dominating like they did last season?

Probably not.

But I still like their odds in the SEC West.

Remember, the Tigers weren’t expected to win the SEC West in 2019, and they cruised all season long.

LSU is accustomed to no one believing in them. They could end up making a lot of analysts look foolish in 2020.