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LSU football schedule 2013: Opponents, game dates and more

If LSU wants to get back in the national title hunt this year, the Tigers will have to avoid a few landmines on the road.

by Chris Fuhrmeister

Aug 27, 2013, 9:00 PM UTC

Derick E. Hingle-US PRESSWIRE

With a top-notch head coach, deep in-state recruiting reservoir and the best stadium in the nation, LSU expects to be in the running for a national championship almost every year, and 2013 is no different. The Tigers have a loaded roster filled with top talent, but this season’s schedule could make it difficult for Les Miles’ team to reach Pasadena.

2013 LSU schedule


Date	Opponent	Conf.	Projected ranking
8/31/2013	TCU (Arlington, Texas)	B12	12
9/7/2013	UAB	CUSA	100
9/14/2013	Kent State	MAC	91
9/21/2013	Auburn	SEC	58
9/28/2013	at Georgia	SEC	9
10/5/2013	at Mississippi State	SEC	49
10/12/2013	Florida	SEC	7
10/19/2013	at Ole Miss	SEC	27
10/26/2013	Furman	FCS
11/2/2013	Open date
11/9/2013	at Alabama	SEC	1
11/16/2013	Open date
11/23/2013	Texas A&M	SEC	16
11/29/2013	Arkansas	SEC	43
12/7/2013	SEC Championship (Atlanta)
Date	Opponent	Conf.	Projected ranking

Projections from Football Outsiders’ 2013 college football almanac.

Obviously, the biggest test for LSU will be a trip to Tuscaloosa and a matchup against preseason No. 1 Alabama. The Tigers have actually won five of their last six games against the Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they should feel confident about this year’s matchup. Playing a great team on the road is never easy. However, their bye weeks come at pretty convenient times, giving the team an extra week to prepare for ‘Bama and a week to recover from what should be the most physical game of the season.

In addition to the road date against the Tide, LSU travels to Georgia in Week 5 and Ole Miss in Week 8. The Bulldogs have plenty of question marks on defense, but their offense could be the SEC’s best. The Rebels should have a potent offense, too, and Hugh Freeze’s squad may very well be the surprise team in the conference. Coming away with a victory in either game won’t be easy, and opening the season with a neutral-site game against TCU in Dallas will provide a stiff test right off the bat.

Even if LSU successfully navigates its schedule away from Tiger Stadium, there are a couple of home games that can’t be overlooked. Florida, coming off an 11-2 campaign, visits in Week 7, and Texas A&M, led by Heisman winner Johnny Manziel, makes the trip to Baton Rouge in the penultimate game of the regular season.

The Tigers may be good enough to win a championship, but the schedule certainly won’t make it easy.