NCAAF · 1 year ago

LSU Tigers Preview | Expert Predictions & Best Bets for 2024

Zack Cook

Host · Writer

LSU Tigers Preview | Expert Predictions & Best Bets for 2024

LSU Tigers Preview, Predictions & Season Win Total Pick

The LSU Tigers will have a very different offensive look than they did in 2023. With how this program continues to recruit and develop talent, expectations are high that this offense will again be potent under Brian Kelly. With consistent concerns about defense, the obvious question is whether the Tigers can outscore their problems again in 2024.

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LSU Tigers Preview

2023 Record: 10-3 (6-2); SEC Finish: 3rd SEC West
AP Poll: No. 13 | Coaches Poll: N0. 12 | PFF: No. 10
Head Coach: Brian Kelly 20-7 (12-4) | Third Season | Overall: 283-103-2
Defensive Coordinator: Blake Baker | Offensive Coordinator: Joe Sloan

LSU Tigers Futures Odds (FanDuel)

National Championship Odds: +2000 | CFB Playoff Odds: +125
SEC Championship Odds: +1200
Regular Season Wins: OVER 9.5 +205 | UNDER 9.5 -260

LSU Preview: Why You Should Be Bullish

The Tigers not only have high-end offensive line prospects for the 2025 NFL Draft, but they also have one of the top offensive lines in the nation, period. Led by Will Campbell and Emery Jones Jr., the Tigers should be able to keep their first-year starting quarterback, Garrett Nussmeier, on his feet. Speaking of Nussmeier, he will be given every chance to find success under offensive coordinator Joe Sloan. There will be some bumps, but the Tigers coaches have been good at limiting the damage with talented young signal-callers.

LSU Preview: Why You Should Be Bearish

There are real concerns about the LSU Tigers in the secondary for the second year in a row. What’s confusing to me is that the Tigers didn’t do all that much this offseason to address that concern. Although there are some talented players on defense for this group, teams will once again target the Tigers to pass on, which should be a continued weakness for this group.

LSU Breakout Player: QB Garrett Nussmeier

There’s a lot to like about Garrett Nussmeier as a passer in the pocket. He will shred opposing defenses with his vision and arm strength, but there are some questions about his lack of running ability. Nussmeier hasn’t shown a willingness or ability to rush as a quarterback, which might ultimately cause some issues on offense. We saw what Jayden Daniels was able to do last season in that respect for the Tigers. Nussmeier has a very different skillset, but he’s very dangerous in his own right.

LSU X-Factor: LB Harold Perkins Jr.

If the Tigers plan to find success on defense, they’ll likely need plenty of production from Harold Perkins Jr. The LSU linebacker has the chance to be a special play on Sundays down the line, and he’s projected to be a top 15 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. With concerns in the Tigers’ secondary, they’ll need the linebacker core, led by Perkins Jr., to step up and make life miserable for opposing quarterbacks. If Perkins Jr. can contribute at a high level and live up to expectations, there’s good reason to be bullish about the Tigers in 2024.

LSU Tigers Schedule Analysis

There are some challenging matchups on the LSU Tigers schedule in 2024. The Tigers will face N0. 6 Ole Miss at home on Oct. 12 and No. 5 Alabama on Nov. 9 at home. The one thing the Tigers have going for them with those matchups is where they’re being played. Still, the Tigers must play some special ball to come out on top in those clashes. In addition, the Tigers open against No. 23 USC and have a pair of other ranked matchups against No. 20 Texas A&M and No. 16 Oklahoma.

LSU Prediction: OVER/UNDER 9.5 Wins

The Tigers went 6-2 during conference play last year. LSU’s three losses last year came against Florida State, Alabama, and Ole Miss. The Tigers will struggle again against these top teams in 2024, which highlights why there’s so much juice on the under 9.5 wins. There are real spots to be excited about on this roster, but not enough to declare they can win double-digit regular-season games.

LSU Tigers Preseason Pick

UNDER 9.5 (-260) (FanDuel Sportsbook)

LSU Tigers Best Bets

Since there’s so much juice on that number, we will give our favorite bet besides that. It’s always hard to predict exact win totals, but there’s some real value in backing the Tigers to win exactly nine games on the FanDuel Sportsbook at +340.