LSU’s Bowl Game matchup has been announced

It's official. After all the dust settled, LSU will face Baylor in the Kinder’s Texas Bowl at NRG Stadium in Houston. The game will kick off at 2:30 pm CT on December 31st.

If you're like me, you didn't expect four losses this season, nor the Tigers inability to close out contests in which they had fully in hand. The opener with USC wound up being a prelude of things to come. Who knows, if the Tigers had won that contest to kick off the season, or had played a full contest in College Station, instead of just 30 minutes against A&M, they might have backed their way into the 12-team playoff field. In any event, the Tigers are in better shape than they were three short years ago during the swan song days surrounding Ed Orgeron. Do you remember that? I'm sure you do as it's hard to erase the memory of that lopsided 22-point loss to K-State. Since that defeat, the Tigers have strung together consecutive bowl game victories, and now Brian Kelly will look to complete the trifecta and win three in a row.

LSU, much like USC recently, has learned that replacing a Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback is no easy task. Now, they can earnestly pursue their fifth national title. Fortunately, one area that has shown improvement is the defensive line. However, it's unfortunate that the Tigers didn't enhance this position further, especially after experiencing a decommitment from LaJesse Harrold and Jahkeem Stewart's decision to leave the state for the palm trees and beaches of Southern California. However, a bowl win can have a positive domino effect, especially when fused together with an injection of this incoming recruiting class which is still highly touted. Harlem Berry and D.J. Pickett, are you listening?

So, how about this for a plan? Win the bowl game, ball out this spring and steamroll into Clemson on August 30th and correct the shortcomings that aided this particular season, primarily not playing four full quarters of football.