LSU got back on track Saturday with a lopsided win at Mississippi State. Paul Finebaum noted a stark difference from how the Tigers started the season.
During Monday’s radio appearance on McElroy and Cubelic In The Morning, Finebaum said his view of LSU swung “dramatically” after a 41-14 victory over an SEC opponent. The ESPN analyst sniffed out a big change since a season-opening loss to Florida State.
“You could just tell that they looked like they were in a different mindset,” Finebaum said. “You saw that immediately as that game began.”
Finebaum added that analysts “can read way too much” into early results. After opening the season with College Football Playoff hopes, the No. 5 Tigers started flat by allowing 45 points to the Seminoles in Orlando.
However, LSU responded with a 72-10 blowout over Grambling before picking apart Mississippi State in Starkville. Jayden Daniels had a nearly perfect day, going 30-of-34 for 361 passing yards and two touchdowns while adding 64 rushing yards and two more scores on the ground.
30-34 | 88.2%
361 yards
2 TDsThe highest completion percentage by a QB in LSU Football history. That’s 5. pic.twitter.com/Vd35SlHRPl
— LSU Football (@LSUfootball) September 16, 2023
LSU has moved back up to No. 12 in the AP poll. Furthermore, Brian Kelly’s team is still well-positioned to win the SEC West for the second straight season. Alabama, Arkansas, and Texas A&M have also dropped a non-conference game this month.
On Sunday, Finebaum told Matt Barrie that LSU remains the best team in the division when discussing the conference’s lethargic start.
LSU can create further distance from Week 1’s misstep when hosting Arkansas this Saturday night. ESPN will televise the SEC matchup at 7 p.m. ET.
