LSU Football's Playoff chances doubled after week five of the College Football season

After dropping the season opener to the USC Trojans, it has been a slow climb for the LSU Football team as they try to claw their way back into the Playoff picture. There won't be too much of a change in LSU's chances to make the College Football Playoff unless the Tigers knock off a true playoff contender in the SEC like Ole Miss. Rightfully so, starting the season off with a loss means you have to be nearly perfect the rest of the year and thus far, LSU has avoided every other speed bump.

Heading into the week, the LSU Football team was given just a 7% chance of making the College Football Playoff according to ESPN's College Football Power Index. After knocking off South Alabama, the Tigers now have a 14.5% chance of making the College Football Playoff.

Now this isn't because LSU had some dominant win but, because of what happened around the Country. UCF had a 33% chance to make the Playoff, after losing to Colorado it has dropped significantly. Ole Miss was above a 60% chance to make the Playoff, now its 41%, and the biggest drop was Utah falling from 27.1% to 5.1%. Even Georgia had a 90+% chance of making the playoff which is now in the 70's.

This weekend while LSU will be on a bye week there is still a great chance for LSU to make another jump. Missouri (32.4%) will take on Texas A&M (12.1%) this weekend and the loser will have their playoff hopes dashed. If South Carolina can beat Ole Miss, their playoff chances will start to soar while Ole Miss' 41% chance will fall significantly.

The main path to the Playoff still starts with beating Ole Miss

Frankly, if this LSU team can't knock off Ole Miss at home, the Tigers stand no chance at making the College Football Playoff let alone in the College Football Playoff. This Ole Miss team has shown they're vulnerable, and with the entire bye week added to prepare, LSU has to win this game. Beating Ole Miss would give LSU its signature win and would put the Tigers ahead of several unbeaten teams.

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