LSU Football 2012: One Good Reason Why the Tigers Can Beat Every Opponent

LSU was oh so close to winning the ultimate prize last season: the BCS National Championship.

The Tigers rolled through the toughest conference in America on their way on an undefeated regular season and the No. 1 ranking in the country. In fact, there were whispers about this LSU team being one of the best college football teams of all time.

That was before the Tigers' dreams were dashed after an embarrassing 21-0 loss to Alabama in the national title game.

However, 2012 will bring a new start for this team.

Gone are stars like Morris Claiborne and Rueben Randle, but there is plenty of talent on this roster to believe that Les Miles' team has what it takes to get back to that national championship game, and this time, leave with a win.

Let's take a look at the Tigers' schedule and the one good reason why LSU can beat every opponent it plays in 2012.

Sept. 1: North Texas

One good reason why LSU wins: Because North Texas plays in the Sun Belt Conference.

North Texas had produced some solid teams over the past couple of years, but the competition in the Sun Belt Conference just simply isn't comparable to the SEC. And that's an understatement.

The Mean Green did play an SEC team last season (Alabama Crimson Tide), whom they lost 41-0 to in a true laugher.

Of course, this is the first game of the season, so who knows how these teams might come out in their opening action of the season. But bottom line: When this game is all said and done, LSU will win by at least 30 points.

Prediction: LSU 34, North Texas 0

Sept. 8: Washington

One good reason why LSU wins: Washington is abysmal on the defensive side of the ball.

When one looks at LSU's 2012 football schedule, it is hard to look at Washington and think, "That one could be tough."

Of course, when the rest of the Tigers' out-of-conference schedule consists of Idaho, North Texas and Towson, that Washington game does stand out. But don't kid yourself, the Huskies are not a very good football team, especially on the defensive side of the football.

Washington allowed just less than 36 points per game last season, which ranked 108th in the nation. Keep in mind that includes a 67-56 loss to Baylor in the Valero Alamo Bowl to close out the season.

Don't be surprised if LSU puts up close to 60-plus in this one as well.

Prediction: LSU 49, Washington 28

Sept. 15: Idaho

One good reason why LSU wins: Idaho is a bad football team.

It really is as simple as that. LSU will win this game in an absolute rout because the Tigers are a great football, and Idaho just isn't any good.

While Les Miles' team ran through the regular season with an undefeated record in 2011, Idaho limped to a 2-10 mark, including a 56-3 loss to WAC foe Nevada to close out the season.

The Vandals were poor on the offensive side of the ball, and it doesn't help that they lose their leading passer to graduation.

LSU's defense should feed on this Idaho offense.

Prediction: LSU 59, Idaho 3

Sept. 22: Auburn

One good reason why LSU wins: Tigers secondary feasts on Auburn's poor quarterback play.

The Tigers were dominant on both sides of the ball this past season, but it was the defense that really stole the show and was the backbone of this LSU team.

The best part of that defense was the secondary, and with All-American prospects Tyrann Mathieu and Eric Reid back in 2012, this defense should feast on opposing quarterbacks.

That is why Les Miles' team should roll in this matchup.

Auburn struggled with its quarterback play throughout the 2011 season, and unless the next Cam Newton magically appears, it should be much the same story in 2012. Whether it's Barrett Trotter or Clint Moseley under center for Auburn, LSU's secondary should get the best of this matchup of Tigers.

Prediction: LSU 31, Auburn 21

Sept. 29: Towson

One good reason why LSU wins: Towson's lack of experience against top-notch competition.

Who?

Towson?

In another matchup of the Tigers, Towson plays in the CAA and actually won its conference title last year with a 7-1 conference record and 9-3 overall mark.

However, Towson really didn't play anyone worthy of note in its 2011 schedule. The one team that Towson played last season that has had any relevance in college football over the past decade is Maryland, who was just 2-10 last season.

To show how overmatched this Towson team was and will be, it lost to Maryland 28-3 to give the Terrapins one of their two wins all season.

LSU will wrap this one up by the end of the first quarter...or minute.

Prediction: LSU 42, Towson 0

Oct. 6: Florida

One good reason why LSU wins: Florida's inexperience on offense.

Of course, any time these two teams get together it is bound to be a good football game.

But the Tigers' dominant defense wore down the Gators offense last season in a 41-11 rout. This season, the story should be much the same as LSU returns a ton of talent on the defensive side of the ball and Florida loses its starting running back and its two top rushers from 2011.

With an exceptional secondary and two great rush ends returning, look for LSU to take advantage of this mismatch and create constant pressure on this Florida offense in this game.

Prediction: LSU 28, Florida 10 

Oct. 13: South Carolina

One good reason why LSU wins: South Carolina hasn't faced a rushing attack as good as LSU's.

It's been a few years since these two SEC powerhouses squared off, but with how good both of these programs have been as of late, this should be a great game in the making.

Both of these teams have great defenses, which should be a treat to watch, but the difference here is this South Carolina group has not faced a backfield as talented as LSU's group.

The best rushing attack that South Carolina faced last year was probably Georgia, which rushed for nearly 200 yards against this Gamecocks defense in 2012.

Of course, home-field advantage should help in this one, but either way, look for this to be a defensive battle right down to the final possession in the game

Prediction: LSU 24, South Carolina 20 

Oct. 20: Texas A&M

One good reason why LSU wins: Texas A&M is in a rebuilding year and LSU will take advantage of its youth.

Not only is Texas A&M switching over to the SEC, but it will also have a new head coach and a lot of new faces on both sides of the football.

Gone is Mike Sherman.

Gone are quarterback Ryan Tannehill, running back Cyrus Gray and wide receiver Jeff Fuller.

With so many new faces attached to this program in 2012, you best believe Les Miles and his staff will make sure this LSU team takes advantage of the Aggies' inexperience.

Welcome to the SEC, Texas A&M.

Prediction: LSU 35, Texas A&M 14

Nov. 3: Alabama

One good reason why LSU wins: Home-field advantage.

The rematch of this year's national championship game will take on Nov. 3, but this time, LSU will get to play in Baton Rouge, which should be a huge advantage to the Tigers' chances in 2012.

Of course, LSU loses some talent—as does Alabama—but these are two programs that just seem to reload year in and year out. Look for both of these teams to have outstanding defenses and great production in the backfield, despite the Tide's loss of All-American Trent Richardson.

These teams are so evenly matched, so what stands out?

Like we said, LSU will be at home and it will be well rested, coming off its only bye week of the season the week before.

This will be another memorable game, but look for LSU to squeak by thanks to that 12th man.

Prediction: LSU 17, Alabama 16

Nov. 10: Mississippi State

One good reason why LSU wins: LSU will take advantage of Mississippi State's poor passing game.

Who remembers that game last season when these two teams played and LSU left Davis Wade Stadium with a 19-6 win?

Now, who remembers when then-sophomore quarterback Tyler Russell came into the game in the second half?

LSU fans might remember that, while Mississippi State fans probably want to forget that.

Russell will likely be the starting quarterback for this Bulldogs team, which is a good thing for LSU because he was nothing short of atrocious when he took the field in last year's meeting.

With the talent that LSU returns on defense this season, this one should be another throttling in favor of the Tigers.

Prediction: LSU 24, Miss. St. 9

Nov. 17: Ole Miss

One good reason why LSU wins: Because Ole Miss has won one SEC game over the past two seasons.

That's right, the Ole Miss Rebels have had one SEC win (against Kentucky in 2010) over the past two years. They have essentially been the laughing stock of the SEC, and anyone who believes this team can go in to Tiger Stadium and beat LSU in 2012 really needs to get it together.

When these two teams met last season the Tigers rolled in a 52-3 laugher. This season's game should be much the same.

Ole Miss averaged just 16 point per game last season and gave up more then 32 points per contest. That includes games against the likes of Louisiana State, Southern Illinois and Fresno State.

This could be the largest margin victory for the Tigers all season.

Prediction: LSU 52, Ole Miss 10

Nov. 23/24: Arkansas

One good reason why LSU wins: LSU will expose Arkansas' run defense.

Next to the Alabama-LSU game, this should be the best SEC game of the season. Both of these teams are strong on both sides of the ball, but where this game will change is the fact that Arkansas can not stop LSU's dominant rushing attack.

In last year's matchup between these two teams, the Tigers punished the Razorbacks with 286 yards on the ground in a convincing 41-17 win. Kenny Hilliard, Michael Ford and Spencer Ware were all dominant in this matchup last season, and all three of them return in 2012.

Tyler Wilson should be one of the top quarterbacks in the nation next season, but with a dominant defensive backfield and a dominant backfield, this matchup favors the Tigers.

Prediction: LSU 28, Arkansas 21