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The LSU football schedule for 2017 is out. We rank the toughest games and stretch the Tigers will face next season.

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If Les Miles survives this season at LSU, the next could present an even bigger challenge considering the Tigers face an absolutely brutal schedule.

Right out of the gate is a neutral-site contest against BYU. The Cougars will be in Year 2 of the Kalani Sitake era.

UT-Chattanooga should provide some warm-up, to fix any kinks following the BYU game, before the Tigers jump into their first SEC game – at Mississippi State.

LSU also faces Syracuse, which will be in Year 2 of the Dino Babers era, as part of the Tigers’ non-conference schedule.

LSU’s four opponents to end the regular season could be the toughest in the nation – at Alabama, Arkansas, at Tennessee and Texas A&M. The Vols replace Missouri from the East.

2017 LSU Football Schedule

Sept. 2 – vs. BYU (Houston)
Sept. 9 – UT-Chattanooga
Sept. 16 – at Mississippi State
Sept. 23 – Syracuse
Sept. 30 – Troy
Oct. 7 – Florida
Oct. 14 – Auburn
Oct. 21 – at Ole Miss
Oct. 28 – Bye
Nov. 4 – at Alabama
Nov. 11 – Arkansas
Nov. 18 – at Tennessee
Nov. 25 – Texas A&M

Toughest Stretch

Nov. 4 – Nov. 25

From Oct. 7 on, LSU faces one of the nation’s most difficult schedules. First, a three-game slate against Florida and Auburn at home and then LSU on the road. A bye week separates that tough stretch from the toughest stretch – four games that include road trips to Alabama and Tennessee, and home games versus Arkansas and Texas A&M.

Three Toughest Games

1. at Alabama

Alabama has won five in a row over LSU. The Tigers last win in the series came in Tuscaloosa, the 9-6 overtime game that preceded the rematch in the BCS title game. As long as Nick Saban is in town, this will likely always be LSU’s toughest game. 

2. at Tennessee

The Tigers will have to travel into Neyland Stadium following back-to-back games against Alabama and Arkansas, and just before the season-ender against Texas A&M. 

3. Florida

The Gators appear to be on the upswing, and it’ll be Year 3 of the Jim McElwain era – the season when everything is supposed to come together.

Trap Game

Nov. 11 vs. Arkansas

LSU’s back stretch is ferocious, and Arkansas isn’t typically a trap-worthy team, but the Razorbacks will be rested coming off a matchup against Coastal Carolina, while the Tigers play Alabama away the week before and Tennessee away the week following.

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