Can LSU avoid the Alabama hangover against Florida?
LSU’s SEC West and playoff hopes were dashed in Tuscaloosa last weekend.
It’s not the first time that’s happened. Alabama has put an end to LSU’s ultimate goal quite a few times in recent years, often knocking LSU out of the national picture.
It forces LSU to respond and shift how it views its season. When you’re not playing for a national title, you need something else to play for.
In 2014 and 2015, LSU struggled after the Bama loss. The Tigers lost to Arkansas the following weekend in both years, leading many to dub it the “Alabama hangover.”
The Tigers avoided it in 2016. After getting shut out by the Tide, LSU beat Arkansas 38-10. It was a nice feather in Ed Orgeron’s cap as he fought for the full-time job.
Again, LSU finds itself in a similar spot. At 6-3, LSU isn’t just out of the conference and playoff race, but the NY6 is unlikely too.
But LSU’s season rolls on, returning home to host the Florida Gators on Saturday night. LSU’s a two-touchdown favorite, and this isn’t a game it should lose.
Brian Kelly isn’t worried about a hangover. At his press conference on Monday, he said his team needs to move on and it has.
“We won 10 games last year. You need to win 10 again. And that’s in front of you,” Kelly said. “If you want to start closing the gap towards being elite, then back-to-back 10-win seasons starts to do that.”
Guard Garrett Dellinger offered a similar sentiment.
“Just because our goals aren’t the same anymore, doesn’t mean we don’t have anything to play for. We still have LSU to play for, the state of Louisiana to play for, ton of stuff to play for,” Dellinger said.
🎙️FULL INTERVIEW🎙️#LSU OL @GDellinger2021 talks about the O-Line performance so far this year, what it's like blocking for Jayden Daniels, and practicing with both QB's this week. 🐯🏈🐯🏈
Which QB will start against Florida? 🐊 pic.twitter.com/Uqcfn7Xs0E
— 104.5 ESPN (@1045espn) November 8, 2023
LSU under Kelly typically responds to losses well. Kelly is 5-1 following a loss in his time at LSU. The lone back-to-back losses came when LSU faced eventual national champion Georgia in the SEC title after losing to Texas A&M the week prior.
LSU faces another test this weekend as it looks to remain competitive and build momentum for next year.
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