LSU Football: Ranking the 5 Best Games on the Tigers' 2012 Schedule

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Now that spring practice has come to a conclusion and the NFL draft is all over, college football fans can't help but to look forward to next season already.

LSU had a memorable 2011 campaign, which included an undefeated regular season and an SEC Championship.

So, what can we expect from the Tigers in 2012?

Well, expectations are booming high, but Les Miles' team will have to face another challenging schedule in order to reach that BCS title game.

Let's go ahead and break down five of LSU's games that we are really looking forward to in the upcoming college football season.

LSU at Auburn

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What: LSU at Auburn

When: September 22

Where: Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn, AL

Why: In the battle of the Tigers, LSU will travel to Auburn for their first SEC clash of the 2012 season. Auburn won the National Championship two seasons ago, while LSU won the SEC title before falling short to Alabama in the National Championship game last season.

After struggling last season, Auburn will look to bounce back in 2012 with a solid defense and an offense that features one of the top playmakers in college football in Onterio McCalebb. 

On the other end, LSU brings back a ton of talent on both sides of the ball and should be an early season National Championship favorite.

What a way to kick off the SEC.

LSU at Florida

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What: LSU at Florida

When: Oct. 6

Where: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, FL

Why: Two of the top college football programs over the past decade will square off in what should be a great SEC battle. The Tigers will have the challenge of facing Auburn and Florida in their first two SEC games of the season, both of which are road games.

Florida is loaded with speed on both sides of the ball, while LSU will rely on a dominant defense to control the Gators' speed. Both of these teams will be breaking in new quarterbacks this season, which means that we should see a lot of running in this game.

This one should be a classic SEC "grind-it-out" type of game.

LSU vs. South Carolina

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What: LSU vs. South Carolina

When: Oct. 13

Where: Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge, LA

Why: These are two of the best teams in the SEC, and they haven't played each other in some time now. This is the SEC home opener for LSU, so you know that Les Miles' team and the crowd will be up for this contest.

Both of these teams feature dominant rushing attacks. While the Gamecocks have arguably the best running back in football in junior Marcus Lattimore, the Tigers have arguably the deepest backfield in America, with four home run threats at the running back position.

Between Jadeveon Clowney, Sam Montgomery and Barkevious Mingo, this game also features three of the top defensive lineman in the game.

LSU at Arkansas

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What: LSU at Arkansas

When: Nov. 24

Where: Razorback Stadium, Fayetteville, AR

Why: Both of these programs have been outstanding over the past couple of seasons, which makes it that much more fitting that this is the final game of the SEC regular season.

This game should be outstanding as it features Arkansas' explosive offense against LSU's dominant defense.

Don't be surprised to see Arkansas' Tyler Wilson and LSU's Tyrann Mathieu both end up being Heisman Trophy candidates in 2012.

LSU vs. Alabama

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What: LSU vs. Alabama

When: Nov. 3

Where: Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge, LA

Why: As if this really needs an explanation...

These two teams met last year during the regular season in a game that was titled the "game of the decade." The game resulted in an ugly 9-6 win for LSU, but that wouldn't be the end of this rivalry.

LSU and Alabama matched up again for a rematch in last year's National Championship game, which resulted in a 21-0 blowout victory for Alabama.

To say that these teams don't like each other would be an epic understatement.

And chances are that when this game comes up, it will have major SEC Championship and National Championship implications.

Get yo' popcorn ready!