In the final US LBM Coaches Poll, LSU football narrowly loses out.

In the Final US LBM Coaches Poll, LSU Football Narrowly Loses Out: A Closer Look at the Tigers’ 2024 Season

The final US LBM Coaches Poll for the 2024 college football season has sparked widespread discussion across the college football landscape, particularly among LSU fans and analysts. For much of the season, LSU football had been in the hunt for a top spot in the rankings, but in the final poll, the Tigers narrowly missed out on a coveted position. With LSU’s strong season filled with ups and downs, it raises the question: what factors contributed to their near-miss in securing a top spot, and what does this mean for the program moving forward?

LSU, one of the perennial powerhouses in college football, has consistently been a contender in the SEC and on the national stage. With Brian Kelly at the helm, the Tigers appeared poised for another successful season, with an explosive offense led by a dynamic quarterback and one of the best recruiting classes in the country. However, despite the high expectations, LSU finished just outside the top ranks in the final Coaches Poll, a scenario that calls for deeper analysis into the factors that led to this outcome.

In this article, we will analyze LSU’s season, examine the key reasons they narrowly missed out on securing a top spot in the final US LBM Coaches Poll, and assess how this could impact the future trajectory of the program.

LSU’s 2024 Season: A Roller Coaster Journey

LSU’s 2024 season was filled with dramatic highs and frustrating lows. The team showed glimpses of brilliance but struggled at key moments in several games, which ultimately prevented them from securing a spot among the very top teams in the country.

Under Brian Kelly, LSU continued to have an explosive offense led by Jayden Daniels, one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in college football. Daniels showcased his exceptional dual-threat ability, leading the Tigers to several impressive wins throughout the season. His ability to both throw and run the ball made LSU a nightmare for opposing defenses, as he consistently put up big numbers in both passing and rushing categories.

However, despite Daniels’ stellar individual performances, LSU’s offense occasionally faltered in high-stakes games. The Tigers’ offensive line, while strong in certain matchups, sometimes struggled to protect Daniels against elite defenses, particularly when facing some of the tougher teams in the SEC. Additionally, inconsistency in the running game, due to injuries and lack of depth in the backfield, limited the team’s ability to balance their offensive attack.

On the defensive side of the ball, LSU continued to have a talented group, but injuries and lapses in coverage hurt them at crucial points throughout the season. LSU’s defensive line, which had been touted as one of the best in the country, didn’t always perform at the level many had expected, and key defensive backs struggled to contain top receivers in critical matchups. Although LSU’s defense was still one of the stronger units in the SEC, they didn’t make enough game-changing plays to elevate the team to the upper echelon of the rankings.

Perhaps the most significant factor in LSU’s exclusion from the top ranks in the final Coaches Poll was their performance in the SEC. The Tigers were in a highly competitive conference, and while they managed to beat some of the top teams, they also suffered losses to key rivals. The most notable defeat came against Alabama, a loss that ultimately hurt LSU’s chances of being in the running for a top spot in the rankings. Alabama, despite facing some challenges during the season, managed to finish strong and maintain its place among the top teams in the country.

Additionally, LSU’s struggles in non-conference games, particularly against teams that were considered lower-tier in comparison to the SEC powerhouses, created doubts about their overall strength. In college football, style points matter, and while LSU won many of its games, some were far closer than they should have been, leaving questions about their true capabilities.

Despite these setbacks, LSU still finished the regular season with a strong record and was in contention for a major bowl game. However, the combination of key losses, inconsistent performances, and a tough SEC schedule ultimately kept them out of the top ranks in the Coaches Poll.

Why LSU Missed Out on a Top Spot

In the final US LBM Coaches Poll, LSU found themselves outside of the top positions, despite being one of the more talented and promising teams in the country. There were several contributing factors that led to this narrow miss.

1. Losses to Key Rivals:

LSU’s loss to Alabama was one of the biggest blows to their ranking. Despite a strong season, the Tigers could not overcome the challenge posed by Nick Saban’s squad, a loss that hurt their resume in the eyes of the coaches. In the SEC, head-to-head matchups against top teams are crucial, and LSU’s inability to secure a win in this matchup hurt their overall standing.

In addition to the loss to Alabama, LSU also suffered a close defeat to Texas A&M, another team that had a mixed season but managed to defeat LSU when it mattered most. These losses, particularly against teams that were also vying for playoff contention, were key factors in LSU’s inability to secure a top position.

2. Inconsistency in Key Games:

While LSU had standout performances, particularly from Daniels, the team showed inconsistency in key games that prevented them from consistently dominating their opponents. LSU’s offense, for all its potential, wasn’t always able to execute effectively in crunch time. Whether it was turnovers, missed opportunities, or issues with their offensive line, LSU couldn’t always close out games in the manner expected of a top-tier program.

On the defensive side, LSU’s lack of turnovers and inability to stop explosive offenses in pivotal games left them vulnerable. Against top teams, a defense needs to make crucial stops, especially in the red zone, and LSU didn’t always rise to the occasion.

3. Lack of Dominance in Non-Conference Games:

While LSU’s SEC schedule was always a tough test, their non-conference games were another area where they couldn’t always impress. Some of these games, particularly those against teams outside the Power Five conferences, were closer than expected. Style points matter, and in a season as competitive as 2024, LSU’s inability to dominate in all phases against these teams led to a perception that they weren’t as complete as other top teams.

4. The Rise of Other Teams:

As LSU struggled in their toughest games, other teams, like Georgia, Michigan, and Ohio State, continued to dominate their schedules. These teams didn’t face the same hurdles and maintained strong, consistent performances throughout the year. Georgia, in particular, was a force to be reckoned with, and their undefeated season made them the unanimous choice for the top spot in the final Coaches Poll.

While LSU remained a competitive team, they couldn’t match the dominance shown by other programs, which ultimately pushed them down in the rankings. The College Football Playoff rankings take into account both the strength of schedule and how teams perform, and LSU’s narrow losses to rivals, combined with their occasional inconsistency, made it difficult for them to rise to the top.

The Impact of the Poll on LSU’s Future

While missing out on a top spot in the Coaches Poll is undoubtedly disappointing for LSU, there is still much to be optimistic about for the program’s future.

1. Brian Kelly’s Leadership:

Despite the setbacks in the 2024 season, Brian Kelly has proven that he is capable of leading LSU to success at the highest level. Kelly has consistently recruited well and developed talent, and the Tigers’ future looks bright with his leadership. The 2024 season served as a learning experience for Kelly, who will undoubtedly use this setback as motivation to ensure LSU’s program continues to evolve and improve.

2. Strong Recruiting Class:

LSU’s recruiting class for the upcoming seasons remains one of the best in the country. The program continues to attract top-tier talent, and with Kelly at the helm, LSU is positioned to reload and continue competing at the highest level. If the Tigers can make adjustments, particularly in their consistency and ability to close out games, they will remain a force in the SEC and nationally.

3. Jayden Daniels’ Future:

Jayden Daniels‘ development into one of the nation’s top quarterbacks is a huge boon for LSU. With him potentially returning for another season, the Tigers will have a dynamic leader on offense who can take the team to new heights. If Daniels continues to improve and stay healthy, LSU will be in a strong position to challenge for a spot in the College Football Playoff next season.