LSU Football: New game-by-game predictions for Tigers in 2020

LSU football learned its two additional opponents on Friday.

LSU football now knows the 10 SEC teams the program will play in 2020.

In addition to the Tigers’ previously scheduled eight games, LSU will also play on the road against Vanderbilt and at home against Missouri.

The opponent reveal really couldn’t have gone much better for the Tigers. Both of those are matchups that LSU should win easily.

And for a team that has a few question marks entering the season (the Tigers have a lot of talent, but a lot of personnel to replace), it’s a good thing that the Tigers didn’t get saddled with a game against Georgia (especially since we don’t know the exact dates of games yet, playing Georgia early in the season would’ve been bad for LSU).

So how will the season play out now that we know the full schedule?

Well, here’s how I have it going down.

Game-by-game predictions for LSU football in 2020

Ole Miss (home): This should be an automatic win for LSU. The Rebels have a new head coach in Lane Kiffin, who I think will fare well at Ole Miss, but he’ll need some time to get the program rolling. This could be an interesting game in the future, but not in 2020. LSU WIN 

Vanderbilt (road): Another easy win for the Tigers. This will be a beatdown in Nashville. This game is essentially a gift from the SEC. LSU WIN

Florida (road): I think this is the toughest game on LSU’s schedule. Playing in the swamp against a good Florida team won’t be easy. It’s a winnable game for the Tigers, but I’m taking the Gators in this one. LSU LOSS

Arkansas (road): Easy, easy, easy win. Arkansas has a tough road this season. It won’t be an easy first year for Sam Pittman but give him some time and the Razorbacks will be alright. LSU WIN

Mississippi State (home): Another easy win. I’m not sure how I feel about Mike Leach in the SEC just yet. I think he’ll probably spring some upsets, but he’ll also get blown out plenty. This will be one of those blowouts. LSU WIN

Alabama (home): I’m back and forth on this game. It’s a toss-up game for sure. It really depends on when in the season the game is played. If it’s toward the end of the year, then I like LSU’s chances better. I assume the SEC will want this game played in November, so I’m rolling with the TIgers. LSU WIN

South Carolina (home): No brainer here, the Tigers will win easily against South Carolina and Will Muschamp (who is squarely on the hot seat). LSU WIN

Auburn (road): I like LSU’s chances to win the SEC West as much as any team in 2020. I don’t think there’s a legitimate favorite. But the 2020 Tigers aren’t the 2019 Tigers. LSU has a lot of inexperience and I think it will cost them in this matchup. LSU LOSS

Texas A&M (road): This won’t be an easy game (though depending on the fan situation it won’t be as difficult as normal), but I still like LSU in this one. I’m just not a big believer in Jimbo Fisher. He’s a good coach, but he owes a lot of his paycheck to Jameis Winston and the 2013 Florida State team. LSU WIN

Missouri (home): Yet another easy win. Not much to say about this one. LSU will cruise at home. LSU WIN

So I’m seeing an 8-2 season for the Tigers. That wouldn’t be bad for a game 10-game conference only schedule after 14 players from the 2019 team were selected in the NFL Draft.

Ed Orgeron may not win another national championship in 2020, but the Tigers will be right back in the conversation in 2021.