The LSU Tigers fell to 4-1 overall and 1-1 in SEC play with a 24-19 loss to Ole Miss this past weekend. It was a disappointing showing for LSU, whose offense sputtered yet again en route to amassing just 254 yards of total offense. The defense kept the Tigers in it, but ultimately didn't have any answers for Trinidad Chambliss and the Ole Miss offense.
The loss is another for Brian Kelly against a ranked team, something that has plagued him in his time in Baton Rouge. Kelly is now just 4-9 against ranked teams as LSU's head coach, which equates to a winning percentage of .301. That is a major cause of frustration for Tiger fans, who are hungry for LSU to compete for an SEC title and National Championship. That can still happen this season, but the road ahead is daunting.
LSU's schedule ramps up from here
Brian Kelly's struggles against ranked opponents continue to bring ongoing concerns for LSU fans. The Tigers are 1-1 against ranked opponents this season, but their win at then-No. 4 Clemson doesn't look as impressive as it did at the time. Clemson has continued to spiral and is off to its worst start under Dabo Swinney and have not been ranked in the AP Top 25 Poll since Week 3. Then LSU fell to then-No. 13 Ole Miss, which catapulted the Rebels all the way to the No. 4 spot in the Week 6 AP Top 25 Poll while the Tigers slid to No. 13.
Of LSU's remaining seven regular season games left on the schedule, four are against teams that are currently ranked in the top-25, with three of them coming on the road. First, the Tigers travel to Nashville to battle No. 18 Vanderbilt on Oct. 18. Clark Lea's team is off to a 5-0 start and has a massive game on deck against Alabama this weekend. Like most of the SEC, LSU has dominated Vandy in recent years, but these aren't the same old Commodores. Vandy will be ready, and LSU can't afford to take them lightly.
A week later, LSU hosts No. 6 Texas A&M on Oct. 25. The Aggies have been among the most impressive teams so far this season, with their biggest win coming on the road at Notre Dame. After another bye in Week 10, LSU travels to Tuscaloosa to take on No. 8 Alabama on Nov. 8. As it stands, ESPN Analytics' Matchup Predictor gives LSU just a 22% chance to win, which is the lowest among LSU's remaining games. Alabama stumbled in the opener against Florida State, but has looked unstoppable since, claiming an impressive 24-21 win at Georgia this past weekend.
In the regular season finale, the Tigers head to Norman to face No. 5 Oklahoma on Nov. 29. Sooner QB John Mateer was having a sensational season and became the Heisman favorite after Week 4, but is now sidelined with a hand injury. However, he is projected to be back in a couple weeks, which means he could very well suit up against the Tigers. LSU struggled with Ole Miss dual-threat QB Trinidad Chambliss, and Mateer presents another tough challenge. Oklahoma's defense has also been elite this season, giving Kelly and LSU a lot to worry about.