LSU 2025 SEASON PREVIEW & PREDICTIONS by LSUOdyssey
- Lonn Phillips Sullivan
- 21 hours ago
- 13 min read
SUBSCRIBE HERE TO GAIN FURTHER ACCESS TO LSUODYSSEY
By LONN PHILLIPS SULLIVAN
Follow @LonnPhillips
The time is now....
The season is only days away, with LSU fans expecting Brian Kelly's 4th year Tigers to deliver a special season, while most people around the game believe 2025 LSU are set for another middling 3-4 loss campaign...or even worse; There's even a fringe group led by On3's JD Pickell who believe LSU will win a National Championship; Then, as far as predictions, we've all heard everything from a 7-8 win disasterpiece to a National Championship, Heisman Trophy for Garrett Nussmeier and everything in between.....
This fall, nobody knows quite exactly what they'll get from LSU, and I will admit, for a good portion of this article's preparation & writing, I wasn't quite sure where I was going....as this wasn't merely a process of continued discovery regarding LSU (I am proud of the extensive work I have done on this team during the offseason), this was also a mission to find out as much as possible about the Tigers' opponents, as well as ultimately find the truth to the never ending question: where is the Brian Kelly era headed?
WEEK 1 (August 30th)
LSU @ CLEMSON
This will be a game won by the more physical defense, crisper special teams (Aman Anand cast in a key role) by the offense that finishes down inside the red zone, but also…..by the luckier squad…..which is why I believe LSU will defeat a very talented Clemson team.
I am worried, sometimes petrified about the offensive line...but at other times, I can see a large mass of white light at the end of this dark tunnel, where Brad Davis' starting five may not be perfect or anywhere close, and still, I'll be a little stunned if they turned out to be a poor unit……their deficiencies can be overcome by a quick striking, near Air Raid style passing attack……plus, creative, tackle-breaking backs can definitely exploit Clemson’s defense, whether rushing or catching passes out of the backfield….
Kelly hired Alex Atkins to help carry that run blocking load and devise a running game to make it work...and if LSU still are incapable of imposing their will, especially considering Brian Kelly's recent comments calling his offensive front "really good...", it would be disastrous for LSU's 2025 offensive outlook.
Yet somehow, even with all that uncertainty up front, I believe in the ability of Caden Durham and Kaleb Jackson, possibly even Ju’Juan Johnson or Harlem Berry to create their own running lanes, break tackles, and still gain yards with a highly questioned O-line. Thanks to the physical agility and athleticism from Frank Wilson’s running backs stable, that juice may afford the Tigers an upper hand on the ground.
Elsewhere, Clemson's highly touted D-line won't be the only physically impressive / violently imposing defensive front on the field, either, as I expect LSU's D-line, edge and secondary investments will pay major dividends when new transfer arrival Tigers such as Jack Pyburn, Mansoor Delane, AJ Haulcy, Bernard Gooden, and Patrick Payton make plays, frustrate & intimidate Klubnik, and eventually close out a wild rollercoaster ride of a contest with one final clutch stop.
It won't be perfect....
It will be ugly at times.....
But this is an early meeting that is so quick off the mat for both rosters, you wonder how that affects defensive errors, big plays, possible offensive line penalties amid the Fake Death Valley's raucous atmosphere...even a key injury could play a main role....
Tipped as likely the "greatest ever Week 1 matchup", with both teams inside the top 10, and championship aspirations & organizational / roster alignment taking place for both programs, we may be seeing these two face off later on down the road before all is said and done...
I know this is an unfamiliar, first time offensive line unit up against one of, if not the best defensive line squads in America....
I understand this is an unfamiliar secondary thrown into a major Week 1 battle against three great receivers....
But unfamiliar doesn't mean incompetent or incapable...although I expect early issues will need to be ironed out by smart coaching adjustments as the game goes along.
It will be 60 minutes of suffering for both teams....
Yet, due to the fact Brian Kelly and LSU need this win more, almost to the point of this matchup representing a de facto playoff game for the Tigers (facing a daunting SEC schedule to follow), the stakes are higher for LSU....and because of that fact alone, I think, thanks to big performances by Nussmeier, Hilton, both Weeks brothers, and Durham, the real Tigers ride early errors, momentum swings, plus Clemson's best shot and get it done @ the Fake Death Valley...
LSU 38
CLEMSON 34
------------------------------------------
WEEK 2 (September 6th)
LSU vs LOUISIANA TECH
The first of a few smoother, well timed outings stamped on LSU's 2025 schedule:
Ruston-based Louisiana Tech come to town for what should be a great exercise in Tiger dominance, as coaches determine who among the fringes of the Tigers' roster may be able to step into key roles later on...
LSU 58
LOUISIANA TECH 6
----------------------------------------------
WEEK 3 (September 13th)
LSU vs FLORIDA
Once again, for the second time over the first 3 weeks of their 2025 gauntlet, LSU face another stern test, this time during a home SEC opener vs Billy Napier's Florida Gators.
Although at home, Brian Kelly's Tigers will aim to serve a cold dish of vengeance upon Napier, Lagway and Co following their disastrous defeat last fall, losing to an injury-ravaged 4-5 Florida team in the Swamp, a defeat that cost LSU any chance at the College Football Playoff once & for all.
I don't know what it is about LSU vs Florida, but these rampaging contests never work out the way either side expects, with thrown shoes keeping teams alive, some historic record-breaking performances, and quite often a smattering of all-action footballing conquest of the likes SEC rivalries are made of.
The 2025 edition will all come down to LSU's ability to stuff or even simply limit Napier's obsessive running game philosophies....bread and butter schemes that routinely hurts the Tigers, surrendering 177 rushing yards in 2023 and 210 on the ground in 2022, while these games featured insane scorelines: two shootout wins for Brian Kelly (52-35, 45-35) and last year's bruising loss (27-16).
But this year, Florida will be a better squad than they were last season, more experienced, as they retain a higher rate of players than other SEC programs...however, much like last season, plenty of those key players are still hurt, namely QB DJ Lagway. The Gators also face the most sadistic schedule in college football, taking on South Florida in a tricky game the week prior to their Baton Rouge trip.
Regardless, Florida will be the first true test for Blake Baker's rushing defense, as Napier's Gators feature an elite running back tandem through Jadan Baugh (673 yards, 133 carries, 7 rushing TDs, 5.1 per carry) and Jakobi Jackson (509 yards, 95 attempts, 7 rushing TDs, averaging 5.4 per carry) rushing behind a steady offensive line.
PREDICTION
I expect a lower scoring, defensive slug fest in comparison to the shootouts of recent campaigns, with LSU finding themselves in a good, old fashioned SEC street fight.
Although DJ Lagway has a few solid individual targets like JD Sturdivant & Dallas Wilson, I feel this is a contest where QB Garrett Nussmeier & his receiving corps dictate terms for most of the game, only to crumble inside the red zone and lose a close, hard fought battle due to a shocking offensive error.
LSU put up a ton of yards through headline plays by Chris Hilton Jr and Barion Brown, but it will not be enough.
Against his former team, defensive end Jack Pyburn still rises to the occasion: creating 1 sack, forcing 1 forced fumble, and wrapping up 6 tackles.
LSU 26
FLORIDA 29
---------------------------------------
WEEK 4 (September 20th)
LSU vs SOUTHEASTERN
Another perfectly placed "early recovery game" following Florida, the Tigers welcome Southeastern to Death Valley for what should be either a "get right" game after a tough loss to Florida, or a tune-up ahead of Ole Miss....regardless, this will end up as another dominant LSU victory, becoming another chance for lineup experimentation & stat padding.
Sorry, Southeastern....it isn't personal...
LSU 52
SOUTHEASTERN 0
---------------------------------------
WEEK 5 (September 27th)
LSU @ OLE MISS
Despite recent LSU vs Ole Miss matchups becoming a wild orgy of record-breaking offense, disgraceful defensive displays, close shootouts, and genuine mayhem over the past 6 years, Kiffin & Ole Miss lost far too much quality during the offseason.
Defensively, Pete Golding's group could still be better than expected, but they've lost plenty of beef up front along their trenches & a few solid secondary players from this past NFL Draft.....players like Walter Nolen & Trey Amos are a rare luxury for the typically finesse, even porous Ole Miss defenses of the past.
This year, they can't count on sustaining a serious push up front, which hands a huge advantage to LSU's offense, with Garrett Nussmeier aiming to rebound from his torrid first 3 quarters vs the Rebels' secondary last fall, and a running back tandem like Caden Durham & Kaleb Jackson perfectly primed for success during this matchup....gaining additional help from freshman Harlem Berry.
Rebels' junior Suntarine Perkins is the one defender who could make life difficult for Nussmeier and Co, thanks to his edge prowess, versatility (solid coverage, too), and chaos creation.
If LSU can run the football, Suntarine Perkins will be a non factor...however, if Nuss is forced to drop back time after time vs the Rebels, Suntarine Perkins will have opportunities to create turnovers or add to his impressive sack total (10.5 last fall).
Leading Kiffin's offense, following directly in the shoes of Jaxson Dart, it will be tough sledding vs LSU for first year starting QB Austin Simmons.
Even though Simmons flashed last season vs Georgia...
Even though he can call upon a few scintillating weapons on the outside...
While racking up some threatening big plays, Ole Miss will continuously fall short inside the red zone or deep in their own territory due to a deluge of turnovers & constant battering ram pressure by a relentless Blake Baker defense.
Even on the road @ Oxford, LSU will be in "must win mode" and I predict they take home the victory decisively, making it two in a row vs Kiffin.
LSU 38
OLE MISS 17
---BYE---
---------------------------------------
WEEK 6 (October 11th)
LSU vs SOUTH CAROLINA
Can LSU finally stop a running quarterback???
Well, the only way LSU could stop South Carolina's dual threat QB LaNorris Sellers during last fall's matchup???
Knock his ass outta the game....and barely escape from South Carolina's early morning haze with a 36-33 win.
Facing the same dual threat quarterback they couldn't stop in 2024, 88 yards on 10 carries for 2 rushing scores (plus 113 passing yards), Sellers melted LSU, establishing an early 17-0 lead...an advantage that held until Sellers coughed up multiple turnovers before getting bloodied and bashed up front, while Nussmeier showcased his grit at the same time freshman RB Caden Durham announced himself....
Still, regardless of LSU's heart-on-sleeve win @ South Carolina last fall, LSU faced a long, long day if Sellers stayed on the field.
Will Sellers become the first running quarterback LSU stops in years???
Will Blake Baker's defensive upgrades at safety, corner, edge and interior defensive line flip the script this time around, containing, limiting and hunting Sellers sideline to sideline, Tigers like Whit Weeks, Harold Perkins, AJ Haulcy and Jack Pyburn forcing him to launch questionable, inaccurate passes into tight coverages he can't dissect yet???
Can LSU's offensive line handle the intensity from South Carolina's D-line room, a unit that lost a trio of top talents to the NFL Draft???
I have no worries over LSU's offense during this game....my only concern is simply....can this defense finally stop a running quarterback???
PREDICTION
LSU aren't perfect on defense, but they don't have to be:
Greatly helped by Sellers committing multiple turnovers, while on the receiving end of a visceral pounding, LSU take home a major victory thanks to all world showings by brothers Whit & West Weeks combining alongside Harold Perkins for a large amount of LSU's key stops & game-turning plays.
Trey'Dez Green also catches 3 touchdowns to help bury the Gamecocks.
LSU 36
SOUTH CAROLINA 18
---------------------------------------
WEEK 7 (October 18th)
LSU @ VANDERBILT
Yes, Diego Pavia and Vanderbilt is a great story, and we know his dual threat capabilities can hurt defenses, however, due to LSU facing LaNorris Sellers and getting their feet wet stopping running QBs, I expect LSU will overwhelm Vanderbilt in all three phases, buoyed by a special teams touchdown from Zavion Thomas, 150 receiving yards courtesy of Nic Anderson, aided by 2 interceptions by the Tigers' defense, one caught by Mansoor Delane, the other by Harold Perkins Jr.
LSU 44
VANDY 14
---------------------------------------
WEEK 8 (October 25th)
LSU vs A&M
A defensive chess match between Blake Baker and Mike Elko's defenses will be the theme for 2025's LSU vs A&M clash.
Each unit will put the clamp down on either offensive attack, as Davhon Keys, Dominick McKinley and Pat Payton deliver the pain up front & on the edges. For the most part, I believe both teams cancel each other out with two key factors hanging in the ether:
Will LSU be able to stop Marcel Reed after his 2nd half rampage last season?
I think so...but....Reed is far from the biggest worry....
Will Blake Baker's upgraded group also be able to shut down or even limit an incredible A&M backfield (La'Veon Moss & Reuben Owens) that routinely rips LSU for big yardage (let's don't bring up Achane vs LSU in 2022....)?
If you watch the tape from last fall, almost every big play by Reed's legs was achieved down inside the Tigers' red zone, immediately after a turnover, catching LSU completely unprepared.
Last year it was inexcusable....
This year???
Is it inevitable???
LSU must make Reed hesitate, knowing their speed on the edges & increased power at safety will reach him, make him throw the ball, and attempt to rattle his confidence at any and all moments.
Turnovers will decide this game, just as much as stopping Louisiana native RB La'Veon Moss or Rueben Owens.
A&M killed LSU on the ground over recent years, last year piling up 247 yards, with three different players eclipsing 62 yards, 4.9 per carry and 5 rushing scores...mostly capitalizing on short yardage.
Because of the toll of a key injury, plus an atypical defensive screwup late in the game (allowing a 60+ yard touchdown run) LSU drop this one vs A&M at home in brutal fashion.
LSU 24
A&M 28
---BYE---
---------------------------------------
WEEK 9 (November 8th)
LSU @ ALABAMA
Alabama may scare a lot of LSU fans away from picking the Tigers, especially with Kalen DeBoer's unexpected Death Valley debut beginning and ending in a humiliating beatdown so biblical the Tigers almost hired a priest to exorcize & cleanse Death Valley...such was the message sent during last November's quagmire of obliteration.
But there's no Jalen Milroe available to gash LSU....there's no Terrion Arnold at the backend...there's no more Dallas "cheapshot" Turner...
If it comes down to it, Alabama startIng QB Ty Simpson won't be able to match Garrett Nussmeier play for play...even with electric weapons like Ryan Williams or Geremi Bernard on the outside....although Alabama will still find ways of making the first Saturday in November an epic temple of college footballing majesty.
I believe Alabama has an edge in the running game, it's obvious the reunion of Kalen DeBoer and former Washington offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb will be a successful partnership once again.
In reaction, that means the Tigers must receive world class showings from their skill position titans, utilizing the speed of Aaron Anderson, Barion Brown or Chris Hilton to expose Alabama over the middle and on the edges.
The Crimson Tide may have two outstanding defensive anchors in LT Overton & Deontae Lawson, but LSU will catch Alabama at a desperate & smarting moment following a couple close losses.
Alabama possesses a strong roster top to bottom (Ryan Williams leads a receiving corps that will push LSU's upgraded secondary to the brink)....yet Ty Simpson's inexperience at the quarterback position will be their undoing in Tuscaloosa, specifically when running up against a historic outing by Garrett Nussmeier (481 yards, 5 TDs), WR Chris Hilton Jr, next to key rushing contributions from RB tandem Caden Durham and Ju’Juan Johnson.
LSU 45
ALABAMA 39
---------------------------------------
WEEK 10 (November 15th)
LSU vs ARKANSAS
I know Arkansas will start 1st-2nd Round level talent Taylen Green at QB, and still, the Razorbacks will simply suffer throughout 2025.
Yes, there is a rollercoaster nature to this classic SEC West "Battle For the Golden Boot" rivalry, although the 2025 LSU-Arkansas edition will be short on drama & high on LSU pomp & circumstantial fervor.
The Tigers collect their most sacks in a single game yet this season (sacking Green seven times), and stuff the stat sheet in all three phases.....producing a complete game by a team that is finally putting the pieces together after 2 defeats.
LSU 37
ARKANSAS 17
--------------------------------------
WEEK 11 (November 22nd)
LSU vs WESTERN KENTUCKY
Following a rough consecutive gauntlet of A&M, Alabama and Arkansas, LSU vs Western Kentucky will be a welcome dose of calm for players, coaches, and the fanbase, specifically when all Playoff goals are in clear view & in Kelly, Nussmeier & Co's hands.
LSU 41
WESTERN KENTUCKY 13
---------------------------------------
WEEK 12 (November 29th)
LSU @ OKLAHOMA
Much like Florida, Brent Venables' Oklahoma is a victim of their own schedule, punished week after week.
Still, Oklahoma will be a better team in their second season within the SEC:
John Mateer will be one of the best quarterbacks in the country, Venables' defense will be much improved, and they may pull off a few surprising upsets here or there...
With that said, Oklahoma won't stand atop the SEC as prime contenders, and the Sooners won't trouble the Tigers in this regular season finale.
This was a game many circled as a potential SEC Championship playoff or a wild showdown with possible College Football Playoff implications....but I don't see anything like that in my crystal ball.
For the second straight season, this time traveling to Norman, LSU will pour it on an injury-hit Oklahoma, as Nussmeier and Mateer rack up the numbers, Barion Brown & Aaron Anderson pile up yards or explosive plays, and Caden Durham should continue his iconic ascension.
Too much nonstop competitive grinding against one devastating opponent after another, Oklahoma will be worn down to a husk by late November.
The Sooners will be mired in an atmosphere more like a wake than a home game, despite all the quarterback fireworks.
LSU 42
OKLAHOMA 27
POSTSEASON
FIRST ROUND
LSU vs UTAH (29-17)
QUARTERFINALS
LSU vs NOTRE DAME (33-20)
SEMIFINALS
LSU vs PENN ST (26-20 2OT)
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
LSU vs TEXAS (43-37)
OFFENSIVE MVP
GARRETT NUSSMEIER
DEFENSIVE MVP
WHIT WEEKS
MOST RUSHING YARDS
CADEN DURHAM (1,286)
MOST RECEIVING YARDS
BARION BROWN (1,110)
MOST TD CATCHES
CHRIS HILTON JR (11)
MOST TACKLES
WHIT WEEKS (155)
MOST SACKS
JACK PYBURN (8)
MOST TFLs
HAROLD PERKINS (12.5)
MOST INTs
DJ PICKETT (4)
MOST PBUs
MANSOOR DELANE (13)
MAKE SURE TO WATCH OUR LIVE SEASON PREDICTIONS SHOW YOU WILL NOT WANT TO MISS, LIVE FRIDAY EVENING ON LSUODYSSEY HERE
By LONN PHILLIPS SULLIVAN
©️ 2025 Uninterrupted Writings Inc