LSU football: Realistic post-spring expectations for 2023

What a spring it’s been for LSU football. Brian Kelly has assembled a roster that many believe could push Alabama and Georgia for the SEC title and the Tigers really impressed.

Heck, in my post-spring rankings projections, I had LSU as my No. 2 team in the nation.

Long story short, this spring turned me into a believer in the Tigers. Why? Because it looks like Jayden Daniels has taken another step in the right direction. He had an outstanding first year with the Tigers, but it looks like he’s about to take a monster step in the right direction in year two. Sound familiar? Joe Burrow, anyone?

The run game should be solid and potentially one of the best in the SEC with all top five rushers returning, led by Noah Cain, Daniels, Josh Williams, and John Emery Jr. On top of that, Logan Diggs has also transferred in from Notre Dame.

Kayshon Boutte is gone but the  Malik Nabers is back as one of the best receivers in the nation.

Defensively, it just feels like there are a ton of talented pieces and this side of the ball should be a strength in 2023.

Realistic post-spring expectations for LSU football

I’m buying stock in the Tigers, as you already know by reading my glowing review above, and Daniels is the main reason for that. I think he could have a Heisman-caliber season.

So what does that mean for this team’s expectations? They should be elevated.

Looking at the schedule, the sure wins I see are Grambling State, Mississippi State, Arkansas, Missouri, Auburn, Army, Florida, Georgia State, and Texas A&M. That should be nine wins right there with teams like Florida State, Ole Miss, and Alabama qualifying as the 50/50 games. That should mean that a realistic finish to the season should be at least 10 wins.

I think Florida State is a win for the Tigers as they exact revenge and Ole Miss is a toss-up with Alabama being a loss as long as the Tide figure out their quarterback situation.

Realistically, the Tigers should go 10-2 this season with 11-1 being another possible scenario.