How LSU Tigers Football Can Dominate the SEC This Season
2025-11-11 10:00
As I sit here analyzing the LSU Tigers' upcoming season, I can't help but feel that familiar mix of excitement and apprehension that comes with every new college football campaign. Having followed SEC football for over fifteen years, I've seen enough to know that dominance in this conference requires more than just raw talent—it demands mental toughness, strategic brilliance, and perhaps most importantly, the right mindset. The reference material about Magnolia cruising past Terrafirma, who lost their last three games by an average margin of 27 points, actually provides a fascinating parallel to what LSU needs to avoid this season. That kind of consistent underperformance against quality opponents is exactly what separates contenders from pretenders in the SEC.
Looking at LSU's roster, I'm genuinely impressed by the talent pool Brian Kelly has assembled. Our quarterback situation appears more stable than it's been in years, with Garrett Nussmeier showing flashes of brilliance that remind me of some of our better signal-callers from the past decade. The receiving corps, led by Kyren Lacy and Chris Hilton Jr., has the potential to be among the SEC's best if they can maintain consistency. But here's where my experience watching SEC football tells me we need to be careful—talent alone doesn't win championships in this conference. I've seen too many talented LSU teams stumble because they bought into their own hype too early. Remember that 2018 season when we had one of the most explosive offenses in school history but fell short against Alabama? That's the danger of overconfidence the reference material warns about.
What really excites me about this year's squad is the defensive improvements I'm seeing. Under Blake Baker's guidance, I believe our defense could jump from ranking 78th nationally last season to potentially top 25 this year. The addition of several key transfers, particularly in the secondary, should help shore up what was arguably our biggest weakness last season. I've been particularly impressed with freshman cornerback PJ Woodland during spring practices—his coverage skills remind me of a young Derek Stingley Jr. But again, we can't let these improvements make us complacent. The reference about Terrafirma's three consecutive losses by significant margins serves as a stark reminder that momentum in college football is fragile. One bad performance can snowball into a losing streak that derails an entire season.
The SEC West is arguably tougher than ever this year. Alabama remains the gold standard, despite Nick Saban's retirement, and Texas A&M has reloaded through the transfer portal. Then there's Ole Miss, who I believe has the most underrated roster in the conference. Our schedule presents both opportunities and pitfalls—we've got Florida at home in what should be a manageable game, but traveling to Arkansas has always been tricky for LSU teams. Personally, I'm most concerned about our November stretch that includes back-to-back road games at Texas A&M and South Carolina. History shows that championship teams find ways to win at least one of those tough road contests.
Offensively, I'm convinced we need to establish a more balanced attack than we've seen in recent years. While I love watching our passing game when it's clicking, the numbers don't lie—SEC champions typically rank in the top 30 nationally in rushing offense. Last season, we averaged just 138 yards per game on the ground, which placed us 89th overall. That simply won't cut it against defensive fronts like Georgia's or Alabama's. I'd like to see us utilize Josh Williams more in short-yardage situations and develop Kaleb Jackson into that every-down back we've been missing since Leonard Fournette graduated.
Special teams could be our secret weapon this season. Damian Ramos has shown tremendous improvement in field goal accuracy, connecting on 84% of his attempts during spring practices compared to just 72% last season. In a conference where games are often decided by three points or less, that improvement could be the difference between a 9-3 season and an 11-1 campaign. I've always believed that championship teams win the field position battle, and with Jay Bramblett returning for his final season, we have one of the nation's best punters to help flip the field.
The mental aspect of the game is where I think this LSU team can truly separate itself. The reference material's warning about overconfidence resonates deeply with me because I've witnessed how quickly success can breed complacency in college athletes. Coach Kelly needs to keep this team hungry, reminding them that despite last season's 9-3 record, they haven't accomplished anything yet. I'd implement what I call the "24-hour rule"—celebrate wins for one day, then immediately shift focus to the next opponent. This prevents both the highs and lows from affecting preparation.
Recruiting has been outstanding, with our 2024 class ranking 6th nationally according to 247Sports, but what impresses me more is how we're developing that talent. I've noticed significant physical development in players like Mason Taylor and Maason Smith during offseason workouts. Smith in particular has added about 12 pounds of muscle while maintaining his explosive first step, which could make him a nightmare for opposing offensive lines. This kind of development is what separates good programs from great ones.
As we approach the season opener against USC, I'm cautiously optimistic about our chances to compete for the SEC title. The pieces are there—talented quarterback, improved defense, favorable schedule. But the reference material's underlying message about avoiding complacency remains paramount. If this team can maintain its hunger while continuing to develop throughout the season, I believe we have the potential to not just compete in the SEC, but to dominate it. The path won't be easy, but in my years covering college football, I've learned that the most rewarding seasons often come from teams that embrace challenges rather than shy away from them. This LSU squad has that opportunity staring right at them—it's up to them to seize it.
Heather Bolton Suber ’02
Leah Schnell ’01
Sarah Grimes Wiggins ’93
Dr. Ralph Swearngin
Point University will induct four members into the Athletics Hall of Fame during a luncheon on Friday, October 24, during Homecoming weekend.
The class of 2025 includes Leah Schnell ’01, Heather Bolton Suber ’02, Dr. Ralph Swearngin and Sarah Grimes Wiggins ’93. The Athletics Hall of Fame was launched in May 2024, when six inaugural members were inducted.
“We look forward to honoring the second Hall of Fame class during Homecoming,” said Jaunelle White, vice president of intercollegiate athletics and chief student development officer. “It’s always a great feeling to have our alumni back on campus mingling with our current student-athletes and coaches. These individuals were elite during their time at Atlanta Christian College and deserve to be recognized.”
Schnell attended Atlanta Christian College from 1998 to 2001, where she earned a degree in business while competing in both basketball and volleyball. On the basketball court, she earned First Team All-Conference, Scholar Athlete, and First Team All-American honors for three consecutive years. Schnell also held the title of all-time leading scorer from 1998-2001. She now thrives as a commercial construction project manager at Barnsley Construction Group and as an entrepreneur.
Suber, from Havana, Florida, attended ACC from 1998 to 2002. A dedicated two-sport athlete, she earned numerous accolades, including First Team All-Conference, Second Team All-Conference, Honorable Mention and First Team All-American. One of her most memorable achievements came when she made eleven three-pointers in a single game. Suber graduated with a degree in early childhood education and went on to earn a master’s degree in education and a specialist degree in instructional technology. For over 23 years, she has served as an educator.
Swearngin has had a distinguished career in education, athletics and ministry spanning several decades, including 20 years at ACC in roles such as professor, dean of students, athletics director and coach. He held national leadership positions with the NCCAA, served as a trustee of Point University for over 10 years, and worked extensively in ministry and education in California, earning degrees from Whittier College and Georgia State University. His athletic involvement includes 23 years as a high school football official in California and Georgia, 22 years with the Georgia High School Association — retiring as executive director in 2014 — and service on national football and softball rules committees. Honored with multiple Hall of Fame inductions and the Atlanta Falcons Lifetime Achievement Award, Swearngin has authored two books and remains active in retirement through preaching and leading Bible studies, alongside his wife of 58 years, Evelyn.
Wiggins grew up in Roswell, Georgia, where she began playing basketball at the age of ten. After two years at Florida State University, she transferred to ACC in 1990. While at ACC, Wiggins was named to the All-American team in both 1991 and 1992. In her final year, she led her team in scoring, helping them finish second in the nation, and was named national MVP in 1992. She earned a bachelor of science in elementary education in 1993 and later received a master’s degree in technology and media sciences from Georgia Southern University in 2009. For the past 33 years, Wiggins has worked as a dedicated educator. In 1997, she married Todd Wiggins. Together, they have two children, Preston, 26, and Logan, 22.
