Alabama Football: Assessing four SEC challengers on 2023 schedule

Alabama Football Opponent Preview: LSU Tigers

The defending SEC West champion LSU Tigers return many of their key players, including quarterback Jayden Daniels. The Tigers went 10-4 in their first year under Coach Brian Kelly, edging Alabama 32-31 in overtime along the way.

Offensively, LSU gets back a stable of good running backs in addition to one of the best running quarterbacks in the conference. It also welcomes back some playmakers at receiver, including Malik Nabors and Brian Thomas Jr.

On the offensive line, LSU retains two members of the 2022 All-SEC freshman team in tackles Will Campbell and Emery Jones Jr. It welcomes in another elite piece in 5-star 2023 tackle Zalance Heard.

The Tigers lose some key contributors on defense, particularly in the front seven, but return freshman All-American linebacker Harold Perkins. LSU adds another dynamic edge in 5-star recruit Dashawn Womack. If Womack makes even half the impact Perkins did as a freshman, they will be a dangerous duo.

The Tigers also expect to have Maason Smith back on the field. Smith is an extremely disruptive interior defensive lineman that missed most of 2022 with an injury.

LSU made big moves in the transfer portal, landing two former 5-stars from the class of 2022. Former Alabama wide receiver Aaron Anderson and former Texas A&M cornerback Denver Harris will both be in Baton Rouge for their sophomore seasons.

All things considered, LSU should be an improved team from last year and an SEC contender in 2023. Brian Kelly is stacking lots of talent, and should make the Tigers a formidable foe for years to come.

He will face one of the biggest tests of his career in week 10 when he walks into Bryant-Denny Stadium for the first time.