Where LSU stands among top 25 teams entering fall camp, per the ESPN Football Power Index
The Tigers aren’t the easiest team to make projections about heading into 2022.
Though the team is coming off a disappointing 6-7 finish in 2021, there’s reason to believe it could take a significant step forward this season. There’s a new coach at the helm in Brian Kelly, and he brought with him a lot of talent, especially in the transfer portal.
Areas on the roster that looked porous a few months ago are much more minor questions now, and the Tigers could be poised to surprise some people this fall.
Though the national media at large isn’t particularly high on LSU, it actually ranks surprisingly high in the Football Power Index, ESPN’s analytics system, heading into the season.
Here’s what the top 25 looks like as we’ve reached the end of July.
Tennessee Volunteers
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
2021 Record: 7-6
2022 Projection: 7.1-4.9
Mississippi State Bulldogs
Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
2021 Record: 7-6
2022 Projection: 6.5-5.5
Oregon Ducks
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
2021 Record: 10-4
2022 Projection: 8.6-3.8
Baylor Bears
Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
2021 Record: 12-2
2022 Projection: 7.7-4.5
Wisconsin Badgers
Doug Raflik/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
2021 Record: 9-4
2022 Projection: 8.2-4.1
Pittsburgh Panthers
Photo by Adam Hagy/Getty Images
2021 Record: 11-3
2022 Projection: 8.7-3.5
North Carolina Tar Heels
Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
2021 Record: 6-7
2022 Projection: 8.3-4.0
Kentucky Wildcats
Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports
2021 Record: 10-3
2022 Projection: 8.2-3.9
Ole Miss Rebels
Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports
2021 Record: 10-3
2022 Projection: 7.7-4.3
Penn State Nittany Lions
Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images
2021 Record: 7-6
2022 Projection: 8.0-4.1
Michigan State Spartans
Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
2021 Record: 11-2
2022 Projection: 8.0-4.1
Oklahoma State Cowboys
AP Photo/Alonzo Adams
2021 Record: 12-2
2022 Projection: 8.7-3.6
Utah Utes
Jeffrey Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
2021 Record: 10-4
2022 Projection: 9.4-3.0
Texas A&M Aggies
Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
2021 Record: 8-4
2022 Projection: 7.4-4.6
Auburn Tigers
John Reed-USA TODAY Sports
2021 Record: 6-7
2022 Projection: 7.4-4.7
LSU Tigers
Syndication: The Daily Advertiser
2021 Record: 6-7
2022 Projection: 7.7-4.3
Miami Hurricanes
Richard Graulich-USA TODAY Sports
2021 Record: 7-5
2022 Projection: 9.2-3.3
Oklahoma Sooners
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
2021 Record: 11-2
2022 Projection: 9.1-3.4
Texas Longhorns
Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
2021 Record: 5-7
2022 Projection: 9.3-3.3
Michigan Wolverines
Syndication: Detroit Free Press
2021 Record: 12-2
2022 Projection: 9.5-2.6
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
2021 Record: 11-2
2022 Projection: 9.1-2.9
Clemson Tigers
Syndication: The Greenville News
2021 Record: 10-3
2022 Projection: 11.1-1.7
Georgia Bulldogs
Syndication: Online Athens
2021 Record: 14-1
2022 Projection: 11.6-1.3
Ohio State Buckeyes
Joshua A. Bickel/Columbus Dispatch via USA TODAY Network.
2021 Record: 11-2
2022 Projection: 11.8-1.0
Alabama Crimson Tide
Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports
2021 Record: 13-2
2022 Projection: 11.4-1.5
