As of January 2025, the College Football Playoff (CFP) picture is always a hot topic, especially as teams navigate their seasons and aspirations. LSU football, consistently one of the more competitive programs in college football, frequently finds itself in the spotlight with high expectations—whether it’s to return to the playoff picture or remain competitive in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). For the 2024 season, ESPN’s predictions on LSU’s chances of qualifying for the College Football Playoff garnered a great deal of attention. However, whether LSU achieved that goal is still subject to the outcomes of their performances throughout the season.
LSU Football in the Preseason Picture
In the preseason leading into the 2024 season, LSU was regarded as one of the top programs in college football. Head coach Brian Kelly, entering his third season at the helm, had proven to be a steadying force for the Tigers after an impressive 2022 season that culminated in a 10-4 record and a berth in the Citrus Bowl. For the 2024 season, expectations were even higher. Many analysts predicted LSU would be a contender not just for the SEC championship but potentially for a spot in the College Football Playoff.
ESPN’s College Football Power Index (FPI) and analysts were quick to rank LSU among the teams likely to compete for one of the four coveted CFP spots. With talent like quarterback Jayden Daniels, who had shown tremendous promise in the previous season, and a solid core of returning players on both offense and defense, LSU appeared poised to make a serious run at the postseason.
A major factor that fueled LSU’s optimistic outlook was their impressive roster depth. The Tigers were well-balanced with a strong offense and defense, two critical components for playoff contention. Daniels, the senior quarterback, was seen as one of the top QBs in the nation, capable of leading a high-powered offense. The Tigers’ receiving corps, which included players like Malik Nabers, was also considered one of the most talented in college football. This firepower, combined with a defensive unit that showed improvement under Kelly’s leadership, made LSU a strong contender in a stacked SEC.
The SEC, with its gauntlet of teams like Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee, has always been one of the most challenging conferences in college football. For LSU to make the CFP, they would need to not only survive their SEC schedule but also win the crucial games against these traditional powerhouses.
The Path to the College Football Playoff
To qualify for the College Football Playoff, a team must either win its conference championship or have an extremely strong resume with a single loss or fewer. The road to a playoff berth for LSU, as predicted by ESPN, involved a few key games that would ultimately determine whether they could navigate the competitive SEC landscape.
1. Season Opener and Non-Conference Games
The 2024 season began with an important non-conference slate, including matchups against teams that would not only test LSU’s depth and capabilities but also set the tone for the rest of the season. ESPN predicted that if LSU could handle these early opponents with authority, they would enter the SEC schedule with confidence.
Early-season games were expected to be crucial for establishing LSU’s playoff resume. A strong performance in non-conference games, particularly against ranked opponents, could enhance the Tigers’ position in the College Football Playoff race, as ESPN suggested.
2. The SEC Gauntlet
However, as always, LSU’s SEC slate posed the most significant challenge. Their divisional rivals in the SEC West (Alabama, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, and Arkansas) were expected to be formidable opponents. In particular, Alabama and Ole Miss were the primary roadblocks to LSU’s playoff hopes.
For LSU to earn a playoff berth, they would need to beat Alabama, who had traditionally been the benchmark for success in the SEC West. Nick Saban’s squad had its own aspirations for the CFP, and a victory over Alabama would significantly strengthen LSU’s case for the playoffs. This game would be pivotal not just for LSU but also for the SEC standings, with both teams often fighting for the top spot in the division and a place in the SEC Championship Game.
3. The SEC Championship Game
One of the most critical predictions for LSU’s playoff hopes in 2024 revolved around the SEC Championship Game, which would likely feature LSU facing off against Georgia or another top SEC East team. ESPN’s analysts were cautiously optimistic that LSU had the talent to compete at this level, but it would require them to not only succeed in the regular season but also win the SEC title.
The SEC Championship Game is often viewed as a de facto playoff game in itself, as the winner usually earns an automatic berth in the College Football Playoff. LSU’s potential to make it to the SEC Championship and win it would be critical for their playoff chances, according to ESPN’s early predictions. If the Tigers could secure that championship, they would likely find themselves in one of the top four spots in the playoff race.
Jayden Daniels: A Heisman-Caliber Quarterback
One of the central figures to LSU’s playoff aspirations was quarterback Jayden Daniels, who entered the 2024 season as one of the top Heisman Trophy candidates. Daniels’ development under Brian Kelly had been evident in his impressive performance in 2023, and many experts, including ESPN, predicted he would continue to elevate LSU’s offense to elite status.
As a dual-threat quarterback, Daniels offered a unique skill set that posed problems for defenses across the SEC. His ability to make plays with both his arm and his legs gave LSU an added dimension on offense. For the Tigers to succeed in 2024, they would need Daniels to stay healthy and continue his growth as one of the best quarterbacks in college football.
If Daniels could lead LSU to an SEC Championship and continue his strong play throughout the season, it would strengthen the Tigers’ case for a playoff berth. Additionally, if he were to earn a Heisman Trophy nomination or win the prestigious award, it would only bolster LSU’s national profile and make their College Football Playoff bid even more legitimate.
Potential Roadblocks to the CFP
While ESPN’s predictions were optimistic, there were still several potential hurdles that LSU would need to overcome in 2024. The SEC is notoriously competitive, with a host of teams capable of pulling off an upset or challenging LSU for supremacy in the conference.
1. Alabama’s Dominance
As mentioned earlier, Alabama was expected to be one of LSU’s toughest obstacles on their path to the CFP. Despite the presence of talented players like Jayden Daniels, LSU would have to overcome the Alabama machine, led by Nick Saban. The Tide, with their consistent success under Saban, were expected to be one of the top teams in the nation again in 2024. An early-season loss to Alabama could have derailed LSU’s CFP aspirations.
2. Injury Issues
Injuries are always a risk in college football, and LSU was no exception. Key injuries to important players, particularly on offense or defense, could have hindered the Tigers’ ability to reach their full potential. While LSU had depth in many positions, a major injury to a star player like Jayden Daniels or a key defensive piece could have set them back significantly.
3. SEC Championship and Strength of Schedule
While LSU’s chances of making the playoff were bolstered by their ability to win games against tough competition, ESPN also predicted that the strength of schedule would play a major role. To have a legitimate shot at the CFP, LSU would likely need to win the SEC Championship. Even if they finished the regular season with only one loss, they would still need to secure that coveted SEC title to have a strong case for one of the four playoff spots.
Did LSU Make the College Football Playoff in 2024?
Ultimately, whether LSU met ESPN’s preseason expectations of making the College Football Playoff came down to their performance on the field. While many of the predictions regarding their ability to compete at a high level seemed reasonable based on their roster and the strengths of key players like Jayden Daniels, the results of the games were unpredictable.
If LSU emerged from their regular-season challenges with a strong record, including wins over Alabama and other key rivals, their playoff hopes would remain alive. However, a loss in the SEC Championship or to another opponent could have dashed their dreams of making the playoff. Likewise, a loss in one of the crucial regular-season games could have kept LSU from earning one of the top four spots in the rankings, making their playoff hopes dependent on at-large bids, which would be far more challenging.
While ESPN’s predictions were optimistic about LSU’s chances, it would ultimately be their performance on the field that determined whether they made the College Football Playoff. As of January 2025, the conclusion to LSU’s season would have been closely analyzed, with all eyes on their postseason fate.
