It was a forgettable day for the LSU Tigers as they struggled in a 48-11 loss at Auburn.
The loss dropped LSU to a record of 2-3 as October came to a close, putting the Tiger sin some unfortunate company. As noted by Matt Brown of The Athletic, LSU joins Georgia Tech, Penn State, Michigan State, Iowa, and Notre Dame as a program that won a national championship and followed it up by starting 2-3 through its first five games the following season.
Last 5 defending national champs to start 2-3
1991 Georgia Tech
1983 Penn State
1967 Michigan State
1959 Iowa
1950 Notre Dame— Matt Brown (@MattBrownCFB) October 31, 2020
USA Today columnist Dan Wolken drew a somewhat appropriate comparison between LSU of this year and a former Auburn team coming off a national title.
LSU is really gonna follow the 2010 Auburn model all the way to the basement, aren't they
— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) October 31, 2020
Auburn went 14-0 with cam Newton and won the BCS National Championship in the 2010 season. The following year, Aubrun went 8-5 and followed that up in 2012 with a dismal 3-9 season. that led Auburn to fire former head coach Gene Chizik and hiring Gus Malzahn as its head coach. Doug Gottlieb of FOX Sports Radio seems to think a coaching change could also be in the future for LSU.
Yes and they are gonna fire Coach O https://t.co/gX9TqjdXHH
— Doug Gottlieb (@GottliebShow) October 31, 2020
If you were looking for the face with an expression that perfectly summarizes this game, and perhaps this season, for LSU, this may be it.
@LSUfootball https://t.co/qh84wXNiU9 pic.twitter.com/YHicsWof3L
— Sad about sports guy. (Pre COVID19) (@MattyMok) November 1, 2020
Suddenly, the memories of the magical 2019 season feel so long ago.
But 2019 though! pic.twitter.com/VmQp6L0D4H
— A G (@AGcustomsneaks) November 1, 2020
LSU’s quarterback play this season has not been all that bad, although TJ Finley certainly had a rough outing in his first road start in the SEC. But no matter what production comes out of the passing game this season, it was never expected to compare with the magical Heisman Trophy season Joe Burrow had a year ago. CBS put out a graphic comparing the two seasons.
LSU quarterbacks already have as many INT this season as Joe Burrow did all of last season. pic.twitter.com/gvCZOIsX4i
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) November 1, 2020
LSU will get a week off to figure out how to move forward against its toughest opponent of the year. LSU faces off with Alabama on Saturday, Nov. 14.