LSU finished their 2024 season with a 44-31 win over Baylor in the Texas Bowl.
The win finishes LSU’s season with a 9-4 record and 3-straight wins.
Let’s get to our 5 takes.
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5 TAKES AS LSU TOPS BAYLOR IN TEXAS BOWL WIN
1. Win with the ones who want to be there – LSU played minus its portal departures and minus its bowl game opt-outs. It was a small army, but it was a hungry army – a team full of dudes who wanted to be there. And they got it done. That’s a hell of a statement and a testament to the spirit of the guys who value finishing a season.
2. Whit Weeks is No. 18 next year – If Whit Weeks isn’t No. 18 for LSU next season then just disband the tradition. What says No. 18 more than a guy who gets hurt and is on the injury cart firing up his teammates while literally the entire roster comes from the sidelines to dap him up and wish him well? Get well, 40. You won’t be 40 next year, I have a pretty good feeling.
3. Nuss made strides … again – Garrett Nussmeier continued his strong play to end the season. He had a bad interception where he got fooled by a disguised coverage. But outside of that, he was solid throughout the entire game, making several big-time throws into tight windows. And guess what? He even ran for a first down on third down. LSU can live with that.
4. Chris Hilton has the juice to be a WR1 – Chris Hilton was supposed to be a big-time dude this season, but injuries derailed his season. He played in the final few games and showed the potential, closing out the year with a 2-touchdown game against Oklahoma and then a 4-catch, 115-yard and 1 touchdown game in the bowl. Keep that kid healthy next fall and look out.
5. Aranda … LOLz – Anyone who follows my career knows I have never been a fan of Dave Aranda. I don’t like his style of defense. I don’t like his style of coaching, and I always thought he was woefully overrated as an LSU coordinator, coaching Tigers’ defenses that would finish 50th nationally while being the highest paid coordinator in the history of the sport. Seeing him as a head coach, it wasn’t much different. Their defense is bad, their in-game management was bad, going for it on several fourth downs and getting buried. Yeah, Baylor can have him.
6. Makeshift OL … not bad – The LSU offensive line without Will Campbell and Emery Jones sure didn’t look too bad. The Tigers protected Garrett Nussmeier and ran the ball effectively. That’s a good omen for the future, especially with a slew of portal prospects coming in at that position.
7. Trey’Dez Green is about to be a superstar – LSU is sending Mason Taylor to the NFL as one of the best tight ends in school history. His replacement isn’t going to be too shabby, either. Tight ends Trey’Dez Green is a problem. In the bowl, he had 6 catches for 53 yards with 2 scores. He’s a huge target who can run and is embracing the blocking part of the position. That’s kid is a future star.
8. Grant Chadwick can’t get here fast enough – LSU’s punting game is a wreck and has been all season. Today, they attempted one punt, shanked it and got just 35 yards out of it. Transfer Grant Chadwick can’t get on campus fast enough.
9. 2025 might be some fun – The LSU football team in 2025 might be really, really good. Offensively, you have weapons galore with Nuss back, Durham back, Anderson, Hilton, Green, Thomas and all of those portal weapons coming in with an offensive line that is going to be solid. Look out.
