The LSU Tigers path to the College Football Playoff in 2023
By John Fye
Win the Battle for the Golden Boot in Week 4
The LSU Tigers’ Week 4 matchup against the Arkansas Razorbacks in Baton Rouge is a game they’re expected to win. However, 2023’s Battle for the Golden Boot has ‘trap game’ written all over it. As such, a slip-up against their longtime rival can derail the Tigers’ quest for a CFP appearance.
Conversely, a win over the Razorbacks moves LSU to 2-0 in SEC play, showing they’re not vulnerable to high-pressure rivalry games. Fans not understanding the importance of rivalry game wins must consider how often Auburn has impeded Alabama’s title hopes in recent seasons.
Arkansas enters 2023 unranked in early preseason polls but not far off, primarily because of their quarterback. KJ Jefferson returns to the Razorbacks for what feels like his 9th season. Moreover, matching up against Sam Pittman’s Hogs requires a knock-out, drag-out fight in the trenches. Thus, a win over Arkansas goes a long way in labeling the latest version of the LSU football team ‘battle-tested.’
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Three points won the Battle for the Golden Boot in the last three seasons. However, LSU football has controlled the rivalry game, winning six of the previous seven contests. Last season, the Tigers eked out a 13-10 win over the Razorbacks in Fayetteville. In all fairness, Arkansas was without Jefferson. However, Harold Perkins had a breakout game with three sacks and eight tackles, including three for loss.
We like Perkins to have another massive game against the Razorbacks in 2023, and at 4-0, LSU football will take another next step toward the CFP, The Grove