LSU football enters the 2022 season with a new head coach in Brian Kelly.

The Tigers hired Kelly after moving on from Ed Orgeron.

Coach O brought a national championship to Baton Rouge in early 2020 (thanks in part to current Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow). But the last two years weren't so kind to LSU. The Tigers have gone just 11-12 over the last two seasons, which prompted the school to make a coaching change.

Kelly comes to LSU after more than a decade at Notre Dame. The new LSU head coach found plenty of success at Notre Dame, but he could never quite get over the hump and win a national championship.

The hope for Kelly is that with more talent at LSU that he'll be able to quickly bring a natty back to Louisiana.

It's going to take some time, though, before Kelly will have the Tigers ready to compete with Alabama in the SEC West.

Here's how I see the 2021 season playing out for LSU.

LSU vs Florida State (New Orleans — September 4)

This is essentially going to be a home game for LSU. The Mike Norvell era at Florida State is off to a rocky start (the Seminoles are 8-13 in his first two seasons) and it feels like 2022 could be his farewell tour. I know there will be a lot of unknowns surrounding the Tigers in Kelly's first game, but I still like LSU to pull this one out in New Orleans. LSU Wins (1-0)

LSU vs Southern (September 10)

Not much to say about this one. Kelly will be able to use this game to fix whatever he sees from week one that he didn't like. The Tigers will cruise to an easy win. LSU Wins (2-0)

LSU vs Mississippi State (September 17)

This could be a tricky one for the Tigers. Mississippi State under Mike Leach has an offense that's capable of pulling off surprising upsets. It can also completely disappear at times. I think this is a toss-up game, but I'll lean toward LSU winning since it's in Baton Rouge. LSU Wins (3-0) 

LSU vs Nex Mexico (September 24)

Another nice easy game for the Tigers. LSU will cruise in this home matchup and get one game closer to bowl eligibility. LSU Wins (4-0)

LSU @ Auburn (October 1)

This is another tough one to predict. I think Bryan Harsin is a terrible fit at Auburn. But he's a decent football coach. Auburn nearly knocked off Alabama last season. I think they'll be a better team in 2022 than folks realize. LSU Loses (4-1)

LSU vs Tennessee (October 8)

Tennessee has a high-scoring offense that can put up points in a hurry and cause a lot of stress on opposing defenses. But LSU probably has the talent advantage. The Vols are capable of winning this game, but I think the Tigers pull it out at home. LSU Wins (5-1)

LSU @ Florida (October 15)

I know this game is in Gainesville, but I think LSU will win it fairly easily. I'm not a big believer in new Gators head coach Billy Napier just yet. What he accomplished at Louisiana was impressive, but we've seen plenty of Sun Belt-type coaches fail to find success at the Power-5 level. Florida and LSU are both "rebuilding" and the Tigers have the better coach. LSU Wins (6-1)

LSU vs Ole Miss (October 22)

Ole Miss is playing some good football these days under Lane Kiffin. Quarterback Matt Corral is gone, but Kiffin landed Jaxon Dart from the transfer portal, so the Rebels should once again have a potent offense. I think Ole Miss is able to outscore the Tigers. LSU Loses (6-2)

LSU vs Alabama (November 5)

Alabama is just in a different place right now than LSU. Kelly might get the Tigers back to competing with Bama for SEC West titles, but that won't be in 2022. The Crimson Tide will win this one, even though it's in Baton Rouge. LSU Loses (6-3)

LSU @ Arkansas (November 12)

I could see this game going either way. But Arkansas looks like they're set to be a top 10 or top 15 team in 2022 with KJ Jefferson under center. The fact this game is at Arkansas is what makes me think LSU loses. LSU Loses (6-4)

LSU vs UAB (November 19)

This game will be a nice reprieve for the Tigers, who could be in the midst of a three-game losing streak at this point in the season. LSU shouldn't have any issues at home with UAB. LSU Wins (7-4)

LSU @ Texas A&M (November 26)

I might be completely wrong about the Aggies, but I think they'll compete for a spot in the College Football PLayoff this year. They have the best shot to unseat Alabama in the SEC West. If Texas A&M is battling for the SEC West in the final week of the season, there's no way they lose this game at home. LSU Loses (7-5)

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