Early 2016 schedule outlook: LSU

LSU soothed some of the sting of a late-season three-game losing streak by winning the final two games of the 2015 season to salvage a 9-3 season that concluded with a record-breaking performance in the 56-27 victory over Texas Tech at the AdvoCare V100 Texas Bowl.

Just as with the 2015 season, the Tigers will enter into the 2016 schedule with equally high expectations. It’s become the norm at LSU. A healthy season could propel the Tigers to the top of the SEC West standings. Tiger fans witnessed what can happen with key injuries here and there.

In any case, head coach Les Miles has promised to tweak his offense and make it more fan-friendly. A more wide-open approach will be believed when it is seen, of course, especially considering the return of Heisman Trophy candidate Leonard Fournette. His bruising running style fits perfectly into what Miles has done at LSU for 11 years.

The Tigers will be tested right out of the gate by Big Ten power Wisconsin at historic Lambeau Field in Green Bay. The other three nonconference games should be less of a challenge, although Jacksonville State has proven it can hang with SEC teams. Southern Miss and South Alabama should be easy victories for the Tigers, who must run the usual gauntlet of SEC West teams.

But the Tigers get Ole Miss and Alabama at home this season. They also host Mississippi State and crossover opponent Missouri. Road games at SEC opponents Auburn, Florida, Arkansas and Texas A&M will test the Tigers’ abilities next season.

The Tigers should compete in the SEC West, but the margin for error is razor-thin, as they found out this past season. Eight-to-10 wins should be realistic expectations in Baton Rouge, but realistic expectations are rare down on the bayou.

Let’s take a closer look at the schedule.

SCHEDULE BREAKDOWN

Home games (7): Jacksonville State (Sept. 10), Mississippi State (Sept. 17), Missouri (Oct. 1), Southern Miss (Oct. 15), Ole Miss (Oct. 22), Alabama (Nov. 5), South Alabama (Nov. 19).

Road games (4): Auburn (Sept. 24), Florida (Oct. 8), Arkansas (Nov. 12), Texas A&M (Nov. 24).

Neutral site (1): Wisconsin (Sept. 3 in Green Bay, Wis.)

Longest home stretch: 3 games (Southern Miss, Ole Miss, Alabama following an open date)

Longest road stretch: 1 games (3 times)

OPPONENT BREAKDOWN

2015 ranked teams (final regular season): No. 1 Alabama, No. 10 Ole Miss, No. 21 Wisconsin, No. 25 Florida

2016 ranked teams (early projections): No. 3 Alabama, No. 21 Texas A&M, No. 22 Wisconsin, No. 25 Florida

Potential trap games: Jacksonville State (sandwiched between an emotional opener with Wisconsin at tradition-rich Lambeau Field and the SEC opener with Mississippi State sits a team capable of upsetting SEC caliber opposition); at Arkansas (coming off an emotional game with Alabama in Tiger Stadium).

Toughest SEC games: vs. Ole Miss, vs. Alabama, at Arkansas

FULL SCHEDULE

Glenn Sattell

Glenn Sattell is an award-winning freelance writer for Saturday Down South.