The 2024 LSU Tigers football season presented a tantalizing mix of challenges and opportunities for Brian Kelly’s squad. Coming off a 9-4 record in 2023, highlighted by a prolific offense and a much-discussed defensive overhaul, the Tigers faced a schedule that tested their mettle from the opening whistle to the final bowl game. This in-depth analysis will break down every aspect of the 2024 LSU football schedule, examining its strength, key matchups, and the ultimate outcome for the Bayou Bengals.
The Road Ahead: Understanding the 2024 Schedule Landscape
The Southeastern Conference (SEC) always delivers one of the toughest schedules in college football, and 2024 was no exception for LSU. With the expansion of the SEC to include Oklahoma and Texas, the conference slate became even more formidable. The Tigers’ 2024 journey was a blend of high-profile non-conference matchups, traditional SEC rivalries, and new conference foes.
Key Changes in the SEC Schedule Format:
The 2024 season marked a significant shift in the SEC schedule, moving to an eight-game conference schedule without divisions. This “SEC-only” approach meant that each team played eight conference opponents, with a greater rotation of matchups. For LSU, this translated to no games against traditional rivals Auburn (for the first time since 1991) and Mississippi State (for the first time since 1943, when the latter did not field a team during World War II). This new format aimed to create more balanced schedules and allow for greater variety in opponents over time.
The Full 2024 LSU Football Schedule: A Game-by-Game Breakdown
The LSU Tigers concluded their 2024 regular season with an overall record of 9-4 (5-3 SEC), capping it off with a victory in the Texas Bowl. Here’s a look at each game, with insights into the opponent and the outcome:
Week 1: vs. No. 23 USC (Neutral Site – Las Vegas, NV)
Date: September 1, 2024 (Sunday)
Time: 7:30 PM ET
TV: ABC
Result: L 20-27
Analysis: Kicking off the season with a high-stakes neutral-site game against a ranked USC team was a significant test. Lincoln Riley’s USC offense, even without Caleb Williams, presented a formidable challenge. This game, played in Allegiant Stadium, was a major draw and set the tone for LSU’s season, highlighting areas for improvement, particularly on defense.
Week 2: vs. Nicholls State (Home – Baton Rouge, LA)
Date: September 7, 2024 (Saturday)
Time: 7:30 PM ET
TV: SECN+/ESPN+
Result: W 44-21
Analysis: A typical FCS tune-up game, allowing LSU to work out kinks and build confidence. It provided an opportunity for younger players to get experience and for the team to rebound from the opening loss.
Week 3: at South Carolina (Away – Columbia, SC)
Date: September 14, 2024 (Saturday)
Time: 12:00 PM ET
TV: ABC
Result: W 36-33
Analysis: The first SEC road test of the season, and a closer game than many might have anticipated. South Carolina, always capable of a spirited performance at home, pushed the Tigers. This early conference road win was crucial for momentum.
Week 4: vs. UCLA (Home – Baton Rouge, LA)
Date: September 21, 2024 (Saturday)
Time: 3:30 PM ET
TV: ABC
Result: W 34-17
Analysis: A revenge game from their 2021 opener, LSU welcomed UCLA to Death Valley. This non-conference tilt provided another opportunity for the Tigers to showcase their talent at home and continued their winning streak.
Week 5: vs. South Alabama (Home – Baton Rouge, LA)
Date: September 28, 2024 (Saturday)
Time: 7:45 PM ET
TV: SECN
Result: W 42-10
Analysis: Another non-conference matchup against a Sun Belt opponent, offering a chance for a comfortable win and further development before diving deeper into the SEC schedule.
Week 6: BYE
Date: October 5, 2024 (Saturday)
Analysis: A well-timed bye week for LSU, falling before a crucial stretch of SEC games. This allowed the team to rest, address injuries, and prepare for the heart of their conference schedule.
Week 7: vs. No. 9 Ole Miss (Home – Baton Rouge, LA)
Date: October 12, 2024 (Saturday)
Time: 7:30 PM ET
TV: ABC
Result: W 29-26 (OT)
Analysis: This was a highly anticipated “Magnolia Bowl” matchup against a strong Ole Miss team. A thrilling overtime victory at home against a top-10 opponent was a significant statement win for LSU, showcasing their resilience and offensive firepower.
Week 8: at Arkansas (Away – Fayetteville, AR)
Date: October 19, 2024 (Saturday)
Time: 7:00 PM ET
TV: ESPN
Result: W 34-10
Analysis: The “Battle for the Golden Boot” is always a physical affair. Despite being on the road, LSU dominated the Razorbacks, securing a comfortable conference victory and extending their winning streak.
Week 9: at No. 14 Texas A&M (Away – College Station, TX)
Date: October 26, 2024 (Saturday)
Time: 7:30 PM ET
TV: ABC
Result: L 23-38
Analysis: A tough road trip to College Station against a ranked Texas A&M team. This rivalry game proved challenging for LSU, resulting in a significant loss that halted their momentum.
Week 10: BYE
Date: November 2, 2024 (Saturday)
Analysis: The second bye week of the season, strategically placed before the crucial final stretch of the SEC schedule. This provided another opportunity for rest and preparation for the toughest games ahead.
Week 11: vs. No. 11 Alabama (Home – Baton Rouge, LA)
Date: November 9, 2024 (Saturday)
Time: 7:30 PM ET
TV: ABC
Result: L 13-42
Analysis: The biggest rivalry game on LSU’s schedule, and a critical test against a consistently elite Alabama team. Despite being at home in Death Valley with College Gameday present, LSU struggled to contain the Crimson Tide, suffering a decisive loss. This game highlighted some of the defensive challenges that lingered throughout the season.
Week 12: at Florida (Away – Gainesville, FL)
Date: November 16, 2024 (Saturday)
Time: 3:30 PM ET
TV: ABC
Result: L 16-27
Analysis: Another challenging road environment against a traditional SEC rival. LSU struggled in Gainesville, taking their third straight conference loss and raising questions about their late-season form.
Week 13: vs. Vanderbilt (Home – Baton Rouge, LA)
Date: November 23, 2024 (Saturday)
Time: 7:45 PM ET
TV: SECN
Result: W 24-17
Analysis: A much-needed home win against Vanderbilt to snap the losing streak and regain some confidence heading into the final regular season game.
Week 14: vs. Oklahoma (Home – Baton Rouge, LA)
Date: November 30, 2024 (Saturday)
Time: 7:00 PM ET
TV: ESPN
Result: W 37-17
Analysis: A historic matchup against new SEC member Oklahoma. LSU secured a convincing victory at home, finishing the regular season strong and setting the stage for a bowl game.
Bowl Game: vs. Baylor (Texas Bowl – Houston, TX)
Date: December 31, 2024 (Tuesday)
Time: 3:30 PM ET
TV: ESPN
Result: W 44-31
Analysis: LSU concluded their 2024 season with a dominant performance in the Texas Bowl, defeating Baylor. This bowl win provided a positive end to the season, pushing their final record to 9-4.
Strength of Schedule and Overall Outlook
The 2024 LSU football schedule was undeniably challenging. According to various metrics, LSU’s strength of schedule was consistently ranked among the toughest in the nation. One analysis ranked LSU’s schedule as the 41st-ranked overall schedule, and the 57th-ranked conference schedule, based on opponents’ projected win totals. Another metric placed LSU at No. 11 in terms of average opponent win total (7.1), highlighting the caliber of their competition.
Key Observations on Schedule Difficulty:
Front-Loaded Challenges: Starting with USC in Week 1 immediately tested LSU’s readiness.
SEC Gauntlet: The heart of the SEC schedule, particularly in October and November, featured a grueling stretch against top-tier opponents like Ole Miss, Texas A&M, and Alabama.
New SEC Additions: Welcoming Oklahoma into the SEC added another strong opponent to the schedule, even if that game was at home.
Road Tests: Trips to South Carolina, Arkansas, Texas A&M, and Florida provided significant challenges, with the Texas A&M and Florida games resulting in losses.
Season Outlook and Performance:
Despite the tough schedule and the significant personnel changes (loss of Heisman winner Jayden Daniels, offensive coordinator, and top wideouts), LSU’s offense remained potent. They were among the nation’s best in scoring offense, demonstrating their continued ability to put up points. However, the defense remained a concern, especially in key matchups, giving up significant points against top SEC opponents.
The 9-4 final record, capped by a bowl victory, represented a solid season for Brian Kelly in his third year. It showed the team’s resilience and ability to compete, even while undergoing a defensive transformation. The high-profile losses to USC, Texas A&M, Alabama, and Florida highlighted the gap the Tigers still needed to close to consistently contend for SEC and national championships.
Home vs. Away vs. Neutral Site Games
Understanding the breakdown of home, away, and neutral-site games provides further context to the schedule:
Home Games (Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge, LA):
vs. Nicholls State
vs. UCLA
vs. South Alabama
vs. Ole Miss
vs. Alabama
vs. Vanderbilt
vs. Oklahoma
LSU enjoyed seven home games in the iconic Death Valley, providing a significant home-field advantage with its passionate fan base. The matchups against Ole Miss, Alabama, and Oklahoma were particularly anticipated home contests that drew massive crowds.
Away Games:
at South Carolina (Williams-Brice Stadium, Columbia, SC)
at Arkansas (Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium, Fayetteville, AR)
at Texas A&M (Kyle Field, College Station, TX)
at Florida (Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, FL)
LSU had four true road games, all within the SEC. These away games presented challenges, particularly the matchups at Texas A&M and Florida, where the Tigers struggled.
Neutral Site Games:
vs. USC (Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, NV – Modelo Vegas Kickoff Classic)
vs. Baylor (NRG Stadium, Houston, TX – Texas Bowl)
LSU played two neutral site games. The opener against USC was a high-profile national showcase, while the Texas Bowl provided a strong finish to the season.
FAQs
What was LSU’s overall record in the 2024 season?
The LSU Tigers concluded the 2024 season with a 9–4 overall record and a 5–3 mark in Southeastern Conference (SEC) play.
Who were LSU’s opponents in the 2024 season?
LSU’s 2024 schedule included notable matchups against USC, UCLA, Alabama, and Oklahoma. The season opener was against USC in Las Vegas, followed by home games against Nicholls and UCLA. The Tigers faced Alabama at home on November 9 and concluded the regular season against Oklahoma on November 30.
How did LSU perform in the 2024 Texas Bowl?
LSU secured a victory in the Texas Bowl, defeating Baylor with a score of 44–31.
Were there any significant coaching changes before the 2024 season?
Yes, prior to the 2024 season, LSU made several coaching changes. Offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock departed for Notre Dame, and defensive coordinator Matt House, along with other defensive staff members, were replaced. Blake Baker was hired as the new defensive coordinator.
Who were some key players for LSU in 2024?
Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier led the offense, while linebacker Harold Perkins was a standout on defense. Wide receiver Kyren Lacy and tight end Mason Taylor were also significant contributors.
Did LSU have any bye weeks during the 2024 season?
Yes, LSU had two open dates in the 2024 season: October 5 and November 2.
What were some of the most anticipated games in LSU’s 2024 schedule?
Key matchups included the season opener against USC, home games against UCLA and Alabama, and the regular-season finale against Oklahoma.
How did LSU’s defense perform in 2024?
Under new defensive coordinator Blake Baker, LSU’s defense showed improvement compared to the previous season, addressing issues in the secondary and overall defensive performance.
What was the significance of the game against Oklahoma?
The game against Oklahoma on November 30 was notable as it marked LSU’s first meeting with the Sooners since Oklahoma joined the SEC.
Where can fans find more information about LSU’s 2024 football season?
Fans can visit the official LSU Athletics website at lsusports.net for detailed information on the 2024 football schedule, game recaps, and more.
To conclude
The 2024 LSU Tigers football season was marked by significant transitions and notable achievements. Under the leadership of head coach Brian Kelly in his third year, the team navigated a challenging schedule, finishing with a commendable 9–4 record. The season featured high-profile games against teams like USC, UCLA, Alabama, and Oklahoma, providing fans with thrilling matchups and memorable moments.
The team’s performance in the Texas Bowl, securing a victory over Baylor, capped off the season on a high note. Key players such as Garrett Nussmeier and Harold Perkins played pivotal roles in the team’s success, while coaching changes brought fresh perspectives to both the offensive and defensive units.
As the Tigers look ahead to the 2025 season, the experiences and lessons from 2024 will undoubtedly serve as a foundation for continued growth and pursuit of excellence in college football.
For fans and followers, the 2024 season offered a blend of challenges and triumphs, reinforcing LSU’s position as a formidable force in the SEC and the broader college football landscape.
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