LSU Football 2011 Schedule: Game-by-Game Breakdown

After finishing the 2010 campaign with an impressive Cotton Bowl victory over Texas A&M, Les Miles used the momentum of an 11-2 record to build a top 10 recruiting class.

LSU is now poised to make a run at the BCS National Championship Game in New Orleans. The Tigers have won the last two title games played in the Superdome (2003, 2007).

But will the schedule cooperate?

The 2011 slate features nine opponents that played in bowl games last season, including both national championship game participants.

Here's a game-by-game look at what's waiting for the Bayou Bengals.

Oregon Ducks (Pac-12)

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: (R-L) LaMichael James #21 and Ramsen Golpashin #70 of the Oregon Ducks celebrate James' eight-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter against the Auburn Tigers during the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at Univer

When: September 3

Where: Cowboys Stadium (Arlington, TX)

Time: TBA (7:45 pm ET based on precedent) 

Opponent's 2010 record: 12-1, including a 22-19 loss to Auburn in the BCS National Championship Game.

Noteworthy: This will be the fourth meeting between LSU and Oregon and the first since a 56-17 Tigers romp in 1977.

Northwestern St. Demons (Southland)

When: September 10

Where: Tiger Stadium (Baton Rouge, LA)

Time: 8:00 pm ET

Opponent's 2010 record: 5-6

Noteworthy: This is the first LSU-NSU football game since 1942. LSU leads the series 10-0.

Mississppi St. Bulldogs (SEC)

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - JANUARY 01: Quarterback Chris Relf# 36 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs rushes against the Michigan Wolverines during the Gator Bowl at EverBank Field on January 1, 2011 in Jacksonville, Florida (Photo by Rick Dole/Getty Images)

When: September 15

Where: Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field (Starkville, MS)

Time: 7:30 pm ET

Opponent's 2010 record: 9-4, including a 52-14 Gator Bowl win over Michigan. 

Noteworthy: LSU has beaten Mississippi St. 11 consecutive times and 18 of 19 times since 1992.

West Virginia Mountaineers (Big East)

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BATON ROUGE, LA - SEPTEMBER 25: Quarterback Geno Smith #12 of the West Virginia Mountaineers in action against the Louisiana State University Tigers at Tiger Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

When: September 24

Where: Mountaineer Field (Morgantown, WV)

Time: TBA  

Opponent's 2010 record: 9-4, including a 29-7 Champs Sports Bowl loss to North Carolina St.

Noteworthy: Despite committing 120 yards' worth of penalties, LSU defeated West Virginia 20-14 last season in the teams' only meeting.

Kentucky Wildcats (SEC)

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LEXINGTON, KY - OCTOBER 09: Mike Hartline #5 of the Kentucky Wildcats throws a pass during the SEC game against the Auburn Tigers at Commonwealth Stadium on October 9, 2010 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

When: October 1 

Where: Tiger Stadium (Baton Rouge)

Time: 8:00 pm ET

Opponent's 2010 record: 6-7, including a 27-10 BBVA Compass Bowl loss to Pittsburgh.

Noteworthy: The teams have not met since 2007, when Kentucky defeated then-No. 1 LSU 43-37 in triple overtime.

Florida Gators (SEC)

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TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 1: Quarterback John Brantley #12 of the Florida Gators hands off to running back Chris Rainey #3 against the Penn State Nittany Lions January 1, 2011 in the 25th Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Al M

When: October 8

Where: Tiger Stadium (Baton Rouge)

Time: 8:00 pm ET

Opponent's 2010 record: 8-5, including a 37-24 Outback Bowl win over Penn St.

Noteworthy: LSU and Florida have evenly split their last 10 meetings. New Gators head coach Will Muschamp served as the Tigers' linebackers coach and defensive coordinator from 2001-04.

Tennessee Volunteers (SEC)

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COLUMBIA, SC - OCTOBER 30: Tyler Bray #8 of the Tennessee Volunteers against the South Carolina Gamecocks during their game at Williams-Brice Stadium on October 30, 2010 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

When: October 15

Where: Neyland Stadium (Knoxville, TN)

Time: TBA

Opponent's 2010 record: 6-7, including a 30-27 double overtime loss to North Carolina in the Music City Bowl.

Noteworthy: Despite the wild 16-14 loss, Tennessee intercepted LSU three times last season, more than any other Tigers opponent.

Auburn Tigers (SEC)

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: The Auburn Tigers huddle against the Oregon Ducks during the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

When: October 22

Where: Tiger Stadium (Baton Rouge)

Time: 8:00 pm ET

Opponent's 2010 record: 13-0, including a 22-19 victory over Oregon in the BCS National Championship Game.

Noteworthy: Auburn gashed LSU's defense for 440 rushing yards last year. That is the most allowed in a single game in LSU history.

Alabama Crimson Tide (SEC)

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ORLANDO, FL - JANUARY 01: Players from the Alabama Crimson Tide greet fans after winning the Capitol One Bowl against the Michigan State Spartans at the Florida Citrus Bowl on January 1, 2011 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

When: November 5

Where: Bryant-Denny Stadium (Tuscaloosa, AL)

Time: TBA (3:30 pm ET based on precedent)

Opponent's 2010 record: 10-3, including a 49-7 Capital One Bowl victory over Michigan St.

Noteworthy: While Alabama leads the all-time series 45-24-5 over LSU, the Tide are only 10-9 versus the Tigers in Tuscaloosa.

Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (Sun Belt)

Eric Francis/Getty Images

LINCOLN, NE - SEPTEMBER 04: Bobby Rainey #3 of the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers gets brought down by Josh Williams #98 and Eric Hagg #28 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers during first half action of their game at Memorial Stadium on September 4, 2010 in Lincol

When: November 12

Where: Tiger Stadium (Baton Rouge, LA)

Time: 8:00 pm ET

Opponent's 2010 record: 2-10

Noteworthy: LSU has not lost to a non-BCS school since 2000 to the Alabama-Birmingham Blazers. LSU has won 33 straight regular season non-conference games, the longest such active streak in the FBS.

Ole MIss Rebels (SEC)

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TUSCALOOSA, AL - OCTOBER 16: Side judge Chris Jamison (R) signals a touchdown as Melvin Harris #5 of the Ole Miss Rebels reacts after scoring against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 16, 2010 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by

When: November 19

Where: Vaught-Hemingway Stadium (Oxford, MS)

Time: TBA (3:30 pm ET based on precedent)

Opponent's 2010 record: 4-8

Noteworthy: LSU's last trip to Ole Miss in 2009 was a time management disaster, but the Tigers hold a 10-6-1 record against the Rebels in Oxford.

Arkansas Razorbacks (SEC)

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 04: Knile Davis #7 of the Arkansas Razorbacks runs the ball against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome on January 4, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Im

When: November 25

Where: Tiger Stadium (Baton Rouge, LA)

Time: 2:30 pm ET 

Opponent's 2010 record: 10-3, including a 31-27 Sugar Bowl loss to Ohio St.

Noteworthy: The Razorbacks have won three of the last four meetings with LSU. Their average margin of victory is less than four points.