The LSU Football team is set to wrap up the 2024 season on New Year's Eve when the Tigers take on the Baylor Bears in the Texas Bowl. The Bears boast an under the radar impressive offense and a middle-tier defense which is surprising given Dave Aranda's track record. Given the transfer portal and NFL Draft's impacts on the rosters its unclear how long the starters for both teams will play. Heading into the Texas Bowl, LSU can play its younger pieces if these five X-Factors put up dominant performances to lead the Tigers to victory.
Chris Hilton Jr - Wide Receiver
The last time we saw the LSU Football team, the offense was clicking on all cylinders in the second half against Oklahoma. A massive part in the Tigers offensive success was Chris Hilton Jr playing his best football of the season catching two deep balls scoring twice. As LSU loads up on wide receivers in the transfer portal, Hilton's role in 2025 is unclear but, he could continue to prove he'll be a key piece. Given that the transfers won't play, LSU will need Chris Hilton to continue his solid play while also proving he can do more in the short to intermediate game to be an even bigger threat in 2025.
Ashton Stamps - Cornerback
This offseason has brought a ton of excitement at the cornerback position as LSU brings in DJ Pickett, Mansoor Delane, and Ja'Keem Jackson. The player being forgotten the most is Ashton Stamps who has developed nicely this season starting every game for the Tigers at cornerback. Stamps will be a key part in slowing Baylor's passing attack led by Sawyer Robertson and it would be a great sign if Stamps got his first interception of the season.
Trey'Dez Green - Tight End
As Mason Taylor moves on to the NFL and Ka'Morreun Pimpton is in the transfer portal, Trey'Dez Green is the lone scholarship tight end left on the roster. While Green has the talent as a receiver to replace Mason Taylor the aspect that Green will have the toughest time replacing is Taylor's ability to block. This game should be a showcase for Green and his abilities as he should see a ton of targets while also carrying the burden of being an in-line blocker which will give the staff a much better idea of what they have going forward.
Garrett Nussmeier - Quarterback
The excitement is building for the 2025 season as the LSU Football team continues to add massive piece after massive piece via the Transfer Portal. The major factor that will decide the 2025 season is if Garrett Nussmeier can take that second year jump like Jayden Daniels and Joe Burrow have. In this game, Nussmeier is facing off against a defense that's allowing just 227.3 passing yards per game and will need to surpass that number for the team to win.
Nussmeier will be playing behind a younger offensive line which will speed up his process while requiring him to make more checks at the line of scrimmage. A massive game from Nussmeier won't just help the Tigers in winning the game but, it'd help in building the excitement for the 2025 season.
Whit Weeks - Linebacker
Greg Penn III, Major Burns, and Bradyn Swinson are all moving on to and while that's not until next season, this is Whit Weeks' defense now. The Linebacker has had a standout season making him a key piece for next season but, he'll need to turn in one more massive game to end the year. Baylor picks up 188.5 yards per game on the ground, if LSU is going to win this game it starts with stopping the run. Weeks will likely wear the green dot for this game and he'll be tasked with making sure the defense which will be playing a ton of new pieces is all in lock step.