Five reasons to be wildly optimistic about LSU Football in 2024

The College Football season officially kicks off today as eight teams will begin their push for the College Football Playoff. We're sadly still eight days away from the kickoff of the LSU Tigers season which has varying expectations. Many experts have LSU finishing inside the top 25 but, outside of the 12-team playoff which would be a disappointment. If you're looking for reasons to be overly excited about the upcoming season, you're in luck as there are five solid reasons to be All-In on this group.

5. Garrett Nussmeier isn't your typical first year starter

Across the country, there are a ton of first time starting quarterbacks most of which don't have a ton of experience. With Garrett Nussmeier that's not exactly the case, as a true freshman, Nussmeier was able to appear in four games, as a redshirt freshman he appeared in seven games playing the entire second half of the SEC Championship. As a Sophomore, he appeared in seven games while making his first career start leading LSU to a win in the Citrus Bowl.

Over his career, Nussmeier has attempted 219 passes completing 129 of them for 1,720 yards and 11 touchdowns with seven interceptions. The staff and Nussmeier aren't going into this blind as they have three years of film and experience to work off of. When Nussmeier takes the field, he won't look like a rookie but, a more polished veteran in many ways.

4. The defense can't be any worse than it was in 2023

The LSU Football team was so bad on defense in 2023 that it'll be nearly impossible for the group to take a step back in 2024. Brian Kelly cleaned house and brought in an entirely new defensive staff filled with coaches with proven track records as talent developers. The defense returns a ton of experience including one of the Nation's best linebacker units. If the defensive staff can get the most out of all of the talent LSU has, this defense could surprise many.

3. The toughest games happen at Tiger Stadium

When you look at the schedule for the 2024 season outside of the neutral site game against USC, nearly every tough game is at home. The Tigers will host Ole Miss, Alabama, and Oklahoma which are three of the Tigers' five ranked opponents. LSU will only have to face one team in the preseason top 25 on the road when LSU travels to College Station. In the expanded playoff finishing 10-2 should be good enough to make the playoff and with the toughest matchups taking place in Tiger stadium, the Tigers have a massive advantage.

2. Brian Kelly's Third Season Track Record

One of the biggest things Brian Kelly pointed to at SEC Media Day was his track record in his third year at a program. In his third season at Central Michigan, Kelly led the Chippewas to a 9-4 record. In year three at Cincinnati, the Bearcats finished 11-3 appearing in the Orange Bowl. In year three at Notre Dame, Kelly's only loss came in the National Championship game. This roster for the most part is now filled with players Brian Kelly selected and has molded to fit his team which should provide exciting results.

1. The top offensive line in the country

To win in College Football and specifically in the SEC, you have to win the battles in the trenches. In every game on LSU's schedule, the Tigers offensive line will be the best group up front which gives the Tigers a massive advantage. If Garrett Nussmeier needs more time to go through his progressions, the group up front can give it to him. If Joe Sloan wants to lean on Kaleb Jackson and Josh Williams, the group of maulers up front can clear the way.

The group is led by the best tackle duo in the country in Will Campbell and Emery Jones who excel in every aspect of the game. The guard combination of Garrett Dellinger and Miles Frazier is so underrated in part due to the dominance of Jones and Campbell. DJ Chester is the newcomer in the group yet, there's a ton of excitement around him with his size and strength.

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