LSU fell seven spots to No. 21 in the second College Football Playoff rankings of the season, putting the Tigers on the outside looking in after Saturday’s 31-13 home loss to Alabama.
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Georgia is the new number one team after routing Ole Miss 45-7 in Oxford. Undefeated Utah is number two after beating rival BYU, while Alabama climbed to number three following its win over LSU.
The Tigers have a difficult road ahead if they want to get back into the playoff conversation.
LSU hosts number six Texas this Saturday. The 7-and-2 Longhorns have already proven they can win on the road, with victories at Tennessee and Missouri.
Next week, LSU travels to Knoxville to face number eight Tennessee.
So the opportunity is there. If the Tigers can knock off two top-ten teams in consecutive weeks, they could put themselves back in the conversation for one of the 12 playoff spots.
But LSU has no more margin for error.
“We understand the situation we’re in but can’t focus on it,” said senior safety Ty Benefield.
Defensive end Princewill Umanmielen says the focus is on Texas, with the goal of going 1-and-0 this week.
Junior tight end Trey’Dez Green says the Tigers have moved past the disappointment of the Alabama loss.
“I feel we’re in a good head space right now and everybody knows what needs to be done,” Green said. “We’ve fought adversity before. This is nothing new.”
The first SEC Availability Report of the week will come out at 7 PM tonight.
One player to watch is right tackle Weston Davis, who left Tiger Stadium on crutches Saturday night. The report should also provide an indication of whether linebacker Whit Weeks is getting closer to returning from a broken fibula.
Texas is also monitoring an injury to one of its top receivers, Cam Coleman. He missed last week's game with a shoulder injury.
Coleman has 23 catches for 409 yards and seven touchdowns this season.
