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College Football: Ranking the 10 most difficult FBS schedules in 2017

By Zach Bigalke

Oct 15, 2016; Syracuse, NY, USA; Syracuse Orange wide receiver Brisly Estime (1) returns a punt as Virginia Tech Hokies defensive tackle Dalton Roe (90) prepares to make a tackle during the fourth quarter of a game at the Carrier Dome. Syracuse won 31-17. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 15, 2016; Syracuse, NY, USA; Syracuse Orange wide receiver Brisly Estime (1) returns a punt as Virginia Tech Hokies defensive tackle Dalton Roe (90) prepares to make a tackle during the fourth quarter of a game at the Carrier Dome. Syracuse won 31-17. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 19, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers running back Derrius Guice (5) in action during the game against the Florida Gators at Tiger Stadium. The Gators defeat the Tigers 16-10. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 19, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers running back Derrius Guice (5) in action during the game against the Florida Gators at Tiger Stadium. The Gators defeat the Tigers 16-10. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

With the interim tag gone from head coach Ed Orgeron, LSU moves into a new era facing the toughest schedule in the SEC West. The Bayou Bengals open the year against BYU (9-4 in 2016) at NRG Stadium in Houston. Their home opener is against Chattanooga (9-4), which reached the second round of the FCS playoffs last year.

SEC play begins early with a matchup at Mississippi State (6-7) on September 16. A game against Syracuse the following week offers the only showdown against a team that sat out the postseason.

The Tigers take on Sun Belt threat Troy (10-3) to close out the September. LSU then faces a tough road slate in conference play. They must face SEC East champ Florida (9-4), SEC champ and national finalist Alabama (14-1), and Tennessee (9-4) all on the road. Another road game at Ole Miss (5-7) could be a trap if the Rebels rebound this year, and home games against Auburn (8-5), Arkansas (7-6), and Texas A&M (8-5) are no easier.

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LSU fancies itself a legitimate rival to Alabama and the rest of the SEC. And even after the turmoil of firing Les Miles and bungling the coaching search at the end of the regular season, the Tigers are still in good shape to go bowling once again.

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