The cons of reported future LSU Tigers football schedule
By John Fye
![LSU Tigers running back Josh Williams (27) throws a stiff arm to Florida Gators cornerback Jaydon Hill (23) in the second half at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, October 15, 2022. LSU defeated the Gators 45-35. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]Ncaa Football Florida Gators Vs Lsu Tigers](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape%2Fcover%2Fsport%2F6ad0591d0d845a30301615c08011c5b420526a61d71b1068311b6b9839615780.jpg "LSU Tigers running back Josh Williams (27) throws a stiff arm to Florida Gators cornerback Jaydon Hill (23) in the second half at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, October 15, 2022. LSU defeated the Gators 45-35. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]Ncaa Football Florida Gators Vs Lsu Tigers")
The LSU Tigers are reportedly aware of their three permanent SEC opponents beginning in 2024. However, such is disappointing to fans of classic, annual rivalry games.
The LSU Tigers will reportedly play Alabama, Texas A&M, and Ole Miss every season after the SEC expands in 2024. Such aligns with rumored plans the conference will adopt a ‘three-and-six’ schedule format. In other words, teams will play three permanent SEC teams each season and face six rotating SEC teams. There are pros and cons to the structure.
A positive is the LSU Tigers and Alabama Crimson Tide continuing to play annually. Nick Saban might not be a fan, but that’s a story we’ll save for another day. Conversely, the Bayou Bengals’ trio of permanent opponents does not include the Florida Gators. That means college football fans will only enjoy LSU vs. Florida matchups every other season. As the Madmen meme goes, “not great, Bob.”
One LSU Tigers fan on Twitter articulated the memorable moments we’ve enjoyed in recent years of the Tigers vs. Gators rivalry.
https://twitter.com/mknovaa2/status/1631761656685404169?s=20
Sadly, it appears fans will have longer waiting periods for future Swamp Bowl chapters, a rivalry born in 1937. The every-other-season wait will also apply to the LSU vs. Arkansas rivalry in the Battle for the Boot. The Tigers and Hogs first played in 1901, but it wasn’t until 1996 that the 4-foot-tall golden boot trophy debuted. Since then, the game’s winner has taken home the $10,000 trophy that details the states of Arkansas and Louisiana.
Also, absent from the LSU Tigers’ permanent opponents are the Auburn Tigers. The Tiger Bowl rivalry dates to 1901 and is responsible for memorable college football moments. Such includes postgame cigars in 2001, the last-second fiasco in 2016, and LSU’s 20-0 comeback win in 2017. Sadly, the Tigers vs. Tigers benchmarks will come at half the pace after 2023.
Next. How Texas and Oklahoma joining the SEC affects LSU Football. dark
The silver lining of the expanded SEC is more in-conference football. Regardless of permanent opponents, the LSU Tigers, like all SEC schools, will play more conference opponents. The addition of Texas and Oklahoma will also add a new variety to the conference and breed new rivalry games.
There is much for LSU Tigers fans to be excited about the future of SEC football.