Tag: Season openers

How has LSU fared in its season-openers over the last decade?

Here’s how the last 10 openers have gone for the Tigers.

After a long offseason, we’ve finally reached the light at the end of the tunnel.

The 2022 college football season is already underway, and LSU is set to begin its campaign on Sunday against the Florida State Seminoles in New Orleans. The [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] era is set to begin in prime time at 6:30 p.m. CT on ABC.

The Tigers aren’t just looking to start the 2022 season on the right foot, though. They’re also looking to reverse the recent trend of early season misfortune and capture their first win in a season-opener since 2019.

With that in mind, here’s how LSU has fared in its first game in each of the last 10 seasons.

Looking back at the LSU Tigers recent history in season openers

A look at how the LSU Tigers have performed in season openers in recent history.

The LSU Tigers are set to make school history when they open the season against the UCLA Bruins on Saturday. They have yet to play UCLA in school history, and they have never played at the Rose Bowl. Both will change at 7:30 pm CST.

At that moment we can forget about the last season. Forget about the position battles, camp injuries. It will be all about going 1-0 on Saturday. Ed Orgeron and the Tigers have an opportunity to get a Power Five win on the resume to begin the season.

Sophomore quarterback Max Johnson looks to remain perfect as a starter after knocking off Florida and Ole Miss to close out his freshman campaign. He will need help from standout wide receiver Kayshon Boutte. On defense, the team needs to show last year was an anomaly. Derek Stingley Jr and the defense will look to send a message.

Before we get to Saturday, we look back. Over the last 10 opening games, the LSU Tigers are 8-2.

Blowouts and upsets: Looking at Ed Orgeron in openers

A look at how the LSU Tigers football team has fared in openers under head coach Ed Orgeron.

We are just two weeks away from the LSU Tigers opening the 2021 campaign on the road in Pasadena, California. They will face off with a UCLA Bruins team that finished 3-4 last year on a shortened schedule.

The Tigers were 5-5 in their shortened schedule, needing wins in the final two games to avoid the first losing season since 1999. Max Johnson was the starting quarterback for both games and he looks to lead the team back into the SEC West race this upcoming season.

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This is the fifth full season for the current head coach. Ed Orgeron was part of the 2016 coaching staff but was promoted to interim following the firing of Les Miles. He joined LSU in the 2015 season as the defensive line coach. The loss to Auburn in the fourth game of the season prompted the change. LSU had lost to an unranked Wisconsin team to start the season. They would fall completely out of the rankings after the 18-13 loss.

A look back at how the LSU Tigers have fared in openers under Ed Orgeron since 2016: