Overview of the 2018 LSU Football Season
The 2018 LSU Tigers football season was the 124th in program history and the Tigers’ fourth year under head coach Ed Orgeron. The schedule combined SEC divisional play with neutral-site rivalry games and a major New Year’s Six bowl appearance. This guide details every contest, from early-season non-conference tests through SEC play culminating in the Peach Bowl and a Cotton Bowl Classic victory over UCF. The season reinforced LSU’s rise as a national powerhouse and set the stage for sustained competitiveness under Orgeron’s leadership.
Full 2018 Schedule by Week
Below is the complete, verified order of games for the 2018 LSU Tigers, including opponents, venues, dates, and outcomes. Kickoff times are listed in local time for Baton Rouge, LA (Central Time) unless noted as neutral site or opponent location.
| Week | Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Kickoff (CT) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | September 1 | vs. No. 8 (FCS) Jacksonville State | Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, LA | W 59–0 | 6:00 PM |
| 2 | September 8 | at No. 11 Miami (FL) | Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL | L 28–38 | 7:30 PM |
| 3 | September 22 | Troy | Death Valley, Baton Rouge, LA | W 56–3 | 6:00 PM |
| 4 | September 29 | at No. 1 Alabama | Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, AL | L 16–29 | 2:30 PM |
| 5 | October 6 | No. 22 Ole Miss | Death Valley, Baton Rouge, LA | W 53–52 | 6:00 PM |
| 6 | October 13 | at No. 11 Florida | Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, FL | W 40–19 | 7:00 PM |
| 7 | October 20 | No. 10 Auburn | Death Valley, Baton Rouge, LA | W 27–21 | 6:00 PM |
| 8 | October 27 | at No. 12 Mississippi State | Davis Wade Stadium, Starkville, MS | L 24–27 | 6:00 PM |
| 9 | November 3 | No. 17 Tennessee | Death Valley, Baton Rouge, LA | W 41–10 | 6:00 PM |
| 10 | November 10 | at No. 19 Kentucky | Kroger Field, Lexington, KY | W 27–21 | 6:00 PM |
| 11 | November 17 | No. 11 Alabama | Death Valley, Baton Rouge, LA | W 29–9 | 7:00 PM |
| 12 | November 24 | at No. 10 Texas A&M | Kyle Field, College Station, TX | L 14–16 | 6:00 PM |
| — | December 1 | SEC Championship vs. No. 4 Georgia (W 37–10) — Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, LA | |||
| — | December 29 | vs. No. 6 Clemson | Fiesta Bowl (CFP Semifinal), Glendale, AZ | L 6–26 | 7:00 PM |
| — | January 1, 2019 | vs. No. 5 UCF | Cheez-It Bowl, Orlando, FL | W 40–32 Cotton Bowl | 12:00 PM |
Key Takeaways from the 2018 Season
- SEC West Champions: Finished 5–3 in SEC play to share the division title with Alabama.
- Top Rankings: Reached as high as No. 3 in the AP Poll after the Alabama win (Week 11).
- Offensive Prowess: Averaged 47.8 points per game, led by Joe Burrows’ dynamic play.
- Bowl Victory: Closed the season with a Cotton Bowl Classic win over UCF, securing a 10–3 record.
- Signature Wins: Overtime thriller at Ole Miss (53–52) and a statement victory over #11 Florida (40–19).
Breaking Down the 2018 Schedule Structure
The 2018 LSU Tigers operated a balanced mix of non-conference, divisional SEC, and marquee rivalry games, while securing a national-stage New Year’s Six bowl. Non-conference opponents included a Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) opponent, a ACC Power (Miami), and a mix of in-conference rivals. Within the SEC, LSU faced West Division rivals (Alabama, Auburn, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Texas A&M, and Tennessee) plus rotating cross-divisional matchups (Florida and Kentucky). The campaign culminated in high-stakes postseason play at the College Football Playoff Semifinals level.
Notable Games and Turning Points
Certain contests defined the 2018 season for LSU. The season-opening demolition of Jacksonville State set an emphatic tone, while the road loss to Miami revealed vulnerabilities on the road. The week-4 showdown at Alabama was a harsh reality check, but the overtime victory over Ole Miss showcased the Tigers’ nerve in marquee moments. The rivalry win over Florida at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium displayed defensive resilience, and the home win over Auburn reaffirmed Death Valley as a fortress. The closing Cotton Bowl Classic capped a dramatic rebound season under center.
Home and Away Context
Death Valley (Tiger Stadium) served as the anchor of the home slate, hosting five regular-season games and the SEC Championship. Away fixtures tested the squad on the road at Miami, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi State, Kentucky, and Texas A&M. Neutral-site prominence was evident in the season opener in New Orleans and the high-profile CFP semifinal and bowl appearances, which amplified national exposure.
2018 Season Performance Snapshot
The table below summarizes final results and context for each game in the 2018 campaign, highlighting the trajectory from early-season dominance to late-season poise.
2018 LSU Tigers Game Results at a Glance
| Opponent | Result | Venue | Date | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville State | Win (59–0) | Home | Sep 1 | Season opener |
| Miami (FL) | Loss (28–38) | Away | Sep 8 | Road test vs. ACC Power |
| Troy | Win (56–3) | Home | Sep 22 | Tough non-conference win |
| at No. 1 Alabama | Loss (16–29) | Away | Sep 29 | Top-5 road challenge |
| No. 22 Ole Miss | Win (53–52) | Home | Oct 6 | SEC divisional thriller |
| at No. 11 Florida | Win (40–19) | Away | Oct 13 | Road rivalry victory |
| No. 10 Auburn | Win (27–21) | Home | Oct 20 | Rivalry intra-division win |
| at No. 12 Mississippi State | Loss (24–27) | Away | Oct 27 | Missed opportunity in division |
| No. 17 Tennessee | Win (41–10) | Home | Nov 3 | Rivalry divisional statement |
| at No. 19 Kentucky | Win (27–21) | Away | Nov 10 | Cross-divisional road win |
| No. 11 Alabama | Win (29–9) | Home | Nov 17 | Divisional head-to-head |
| at No. 10 Texas A&M | Loss (14–16) | Away | Nov 24 | Final regular-season road test |
| vs. No. 4 Georgia | Loss (37–10) | Neutral (New Orleans) | Dec 1 | SEC Championship |
| vs. No. 6 Clemson | Loss (6–26) | Neutral (Glendale, AZ) | Dec 29 | CFP Semifinal (Fiesta Bowl) |
| vs. No. 5 UCF | Win (40–32) | Neutral (Orlando, FL) | Jan 1, 2019 | Cheez-It Bowl (Cotton Bowl) |
Season Takeaways and Legacy
The 2018 LSU schedule showcased a program ascending under Ed Orgeron, blending hard-fought SEC wins with marquee non-conference tests. The team’s ability to secure a division title, compete with elite programs, and finish with a New Year’s Six bowl victory reinforced LSU’s reputation for late-season toughness and offensive firepower. The year provided a foundation for future contention and remains a reference point for Tigers’ fans evaluating the program’s modern resurgence.
Glossary of Terms
- Death Valley: Nickname for Tiger Stadium, LSU’s home field.
- SEC West: One of two divisions in the Southeastern Conference; LSU competed for the division title in 2018.
- SEC Championship Game: The conference title game, played annually since 1992; LSU faced Georgia in 2018.
- CFP Semifinal: One of two national semifinal games in the College Football Playoff; LSU’s Fiesta Bowl appearance was part of the 2017–18 cycle.
- New Year’s Six: A group of six major bowl games featuring top-10 teams and conference champions.