If you look back at the LSU football schedule 2018, you aren't just looking at a list of dates and scores. You're looking at the blueprint for the greatest offensive explosion in college football history that followed a year later. Most people forget how bleak things felt heading into that Labor Day weekend. Coming off a 9-4 season and a loss to Notre Dame in the Citrus Bowl, the vibes in Baton Rouge were... well, they were nervous. Coach Ed Orgeron was on the hot seat according to every national pundit with a microphone.
Then came Joe Burrow.
The transfer from Ohio State didn't arrive with a Heisman trophy in his suitcase. He arrived with a chip on his shoulder the size of the Huey P. Long Bridge. When you examine the LSU football schedule 2018, it’s a gauntlet. It wasn't designed for a "transition year." It was designed to break teams. But instead of breaking, the Tigers found a new identity.
The Brutal Opening Act in Arlington
LSU didn't ease into things. No "cupcake" game to start. On September 2, they headed to AT&T Stadium to face No. 8 Miami. Everyone expected the Hurricanes to roll. Instead, LSU’s defense, led by Devin White and Grant Delpit, absolutely suffocated Mark Richt's offense.
The 33-17 victory was a statement. It moved LSU from unranked to No. 12 in the AP Poll overnight. It also gave us the first real glimpse of Cole Tracy. Honestly, if you don't remember Tracy, you weren't watching closely enough. The graduate transfer from Division II Assumption College became the most reliable leg in the SEC. He was basically the MVP of the early season.
After a blowout win against Southeastern Louisiana, the Tigers traveled to the Plains. Jordan-Hare Stadium is where LSU dreams usually go to die in weird, inexplicable ways. Not this time. The September 15 clash with No. 7 Auburn was a rock fight. Down 21-10 in the second half, Burrow started showing that "it" factor. A late touchdown pass to Derrick Dillon—a 71-yard beauty—put them in position for Cole Tracy to nail a walk-off 42-yard field goal. 22-21. Madness.
Mid-Season Reality Checks and the Florida Flop
You can't talk about the LSU football schedule 2018 without talking about the heartbreak in Gainesville. By October 6, LSU was ranked No. 5 in the country. Florida was ranked No. 22. It felt like a trap, and it was.
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Burrow struggled. He threw two interceptions, including a late pick-six to Brad Stewart Jr. that sealed a 27-19 loss. It was a reality check. The offense was still clunky. It was still the "old" LSU in many ways—run-heavy, predictable, and reliant on the defense to bail them out. They were winning, but they weren't explosive. Yet.
But then came Georgia.
The Bulldogs arrived in Death Valley on October 13 ranked No. 2. It was a mid-afternoon kickoff, but the crowd was electric. LSU didn't just win; they bullied Georgia. 36-16. The defense forced four turnovers. Joe Burrow ran for two touchdowns. This was the moment the national media realized that the 2018 Tigers weren't a fluke. They were legitimate contenders for the New Year's Six.
The Alabama Wall and the Seven-Overtime Myth
November 3, 2018. The night the "Saban vs. Orgeron" narrative hit its peak. No. 1 Alabama vs. No. 3 LSU in Tiger Stadium. The hype was suffocating.
It ended 29-0.
Honestly, it was painful to watch. Alabama’s defense was a brick wall, and Tua Tagovailoa did just enough to keep the chains moving. This game exposed the massive gap between LSU’s traditional offensive scheme and what was needed to beat the elite programs. It was the catalyst for Orgeron to eventually hire Joe Brady. Without the sting of that 29-0 shutout, the 2019 offense might never have been born.
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The regular season ended with one of the most statistically absurd games in the history of the sport. November 24 at College Station. LSU vs. Texas A&M.
74-72.
Seven overtimes.
It took nearly five hours to finish. There were controversial calls, premature Gatorade baths, and more points than a basketball game. LSU lost, but Joe Burrow finished that game with nearly 300 yards passing and 100 yards rushing. He looked like a warrior. He was exhausted, beaten up, and somehow more confident than ever.
Closing the Chapter in Glendale
The LSU football schedule 2018 concluded at the Fiesta Bowl against UCF. The Knights had a 25-game winning streak. They claimed a "National Championship" the year before. They were fast, loud, and confident.
Then Joe Burrow got blindsided.
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Early in the game, Burrow threw a pick-six and got absolutely leveled by a UCF defender. He stayed on the turf for a while. Everyone thought he was done. Instead, he got up, wiped the blood off his face, and proceeded to throw for 394 yards and four touchdowns. LSU won 40-32, snapping the streak and finishing the season 10-3.
2018 LSU Results At A Glance
- Sept 2: vs #8 Miami (W, 33-17)
- Sept 8: vs SE Louisiana (W, 31-0)
- Sept 15: @ #7 Auburn (W, 22-21)
- Sept 22: vs Louisiana Tech (W, 38-21)
- Sept 29: vs Ole Miss (W, 45-16)
- Oct 6: @ #22 Florida (L, 19-27)
- Oct 13: vs #2 Georgia (W, 36-16)
- Oct 20: vs Mississippi State (W, 19-3)
- Nov 3: vs #1 Alabama (L, 0-29)
- Nov 10: @ Arkansas (W, 24-17)
- Nov 17: vs Rice (W, 42-10)
- Nov 24: @ #22 Texas A&M (L, 72-74 / 7OT)
- Jan 1: vs #8 UCF (W, 40-32) - Fiesta Bowl
Why This Schedule Still Matters Today
When you look back, the 2018 season was the bridge. It was the year LSU moved away from the "three yards and a cloud of dust" mentality. They found their quarterback. They found their grit. They realized that to beat Alabama, they couldn't just have a great defense; they needed a relentless offense.
The lessons learned against Florida’s secondary and Alabama’s front seven led directly to the recruitment and development of players like Ja'Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson, who were just freshmen or sophomores at the time.
Actionable Takeaways for LSU Fans and Historians
If you want to truly understand the evolution of the SEC, you have to study this specific year. Here is how you can dive deeper into the legacy of the 2018 squad:
- Watch the Georgia Replay: It remains one of the best examples of defensive game-planning in the modern era. Look at how Dave Aranda used his linebackers to confuse Jake Fromm.
- Analyze the Texas A&M Overtimes: This game actually triggered several NCAA rule changes regarding overtime periods to protect player safety. It’s a case study in why the current OT rules exist.
- Follow the Draft Pedigree: Look at the 2019 and 2020 NFL Drafts. An astronomical number of starters from the 2018 roster are now Pro Bowlers. The talent was always there; 2018 was just the refining fire.
The LSU football schedule 2018 wasn't perfect. It had shutouts and heartbreaking losses in the humid Florida air. But without the 10-3 grind of 2018, the 15-0 magic of 2019 never happens. It was the year the Tigers learned how to fight again.