LSU’s SEC schedule primer

By Hunt Palmer

There is plenty we don’t know about the 16 SEC teams to this point.

Inevitably, teams surprise by playing well or bottom out unexpectedly. No one had the defending national champions from Baton Rouge starting 2024’s SEC slate 3-12. Last season, Florida started 1-11. The preseason No. 1 Aggies also missed the postseason entirely. Texas came out of nowhere to win the league last year, and Auburn was a surprise national seed.

That’s what the 30 games are for.

I’ve watched a good bit of SEC baseball over the last four weeks and have a thought on LSU’s SEC slate before it begins on Friday night. Here’s a look.

Week 1 — at Vanderbilt (8th most difficult)

The Commodores have hit for some power early on. they only hit 66 last year, and they already have 44 this year. The pitching has struggled beyond ace Connor Fennell, and the Tigers may catch a break not seeing Austin Nye who was great before injury.

Week 2 — Oklahoma (6th most difficult)

Former Tiger Cam Johnson and transfer LJ Mercurius have fired 44.2 innings and struck out 66 with just 11 walks. The Sooners have won all eight of their starts. Mercurius could be the best Saturday starter in the SEC.

Week 3 — Kentucky (9th most difficult)

This will be the back end of six straight SEC home games, and the next four weeks are BRUTAL. So, LSU has to start fast. Kentucky shortstop Tyler Bell is a superstar who missed three weeks with injury. He’s back and a difference maker. Jaxon Jelkin is the most talented ace Kentucky has had in some time.

Week 4 — at Tennessee (5th most difficult)

The Vols are in transition, and the offense is showing it a little bit. They’re ninth in the SEC in home runs and 14th in scoring. Tegan Kuhns and Landon Mack, who LSU targeted out of Rutgers, have been very good atop the rotation. That’s still a tough place to play even without Tony Vitello.

Week 5 — at Ole Miss (3rd most difficult)

Oxford is no picnic, either. The Rebels are bashing home runs all over the place led by Judd Utermark who will likely become the program’s home run king this spring. Hunter Elliott is a proven Friday starter, and Cade Townsend is a stellar second option. The Achilles heel may be the offense’s propensity for strikeouts.

Week 6 — Texas A&M (4th most difficult)

This is the lone home series in a four-week stretch. And it comes against a good Aggie cub. Caden Sorrell, Gavin Grahovac and Chris Hacopian could all be first round picks in the lineup. Shane Sdao is back from injury and manning Friday nights. He struck out 55 in 48.2 innings in 2024 and is throwing it well early this year.

Week 7 — at Mississippi State (most difficult)

A monster of four-week gauntlet ends with LSU’s tallest test. Mississippi State could easily be unbeaten at this point. Their two losses are an extra inning heartbreak with UCLA and a game at Southern Miss where two wild pitches cost them the lead late. They lead the SEC in hitting and doubles and rank third in runs. All three weekend starters are good. Also, Dudy Noble is no joke.

Week 8 — (South Carolina least difficult)

If LSU can survive Weeks 4-7, Week 8 looks like a reprieve. South Carolina has been bad in every phase so far losing to Army, Northern Kentucky, Queens and The Citadel. Their ace was lost for the year. They’re 15th in batting average and 11th in homers. They’re also the worst defensive team in the league.

Week 9 — at Georgia (2nd most difficult)

The Bulldogs are hitting again, but they haven’t played anyone. Against a terrible non-conference schedule, Georgia leads the SEC in homers and runs. They’re second in hitting and first in on base. The team ERA is ninth and fronted by Stanford transfer Joey Volchko who throws really hard and gets a ton of ground balls. Georgia is a tough matchup in their bandbox of a stadium.

Week 10 — Florida (7th most difficult)

The Gators were nearly swept by High Point last weekend. Liam Peterson is a huge draft prospect on Friday night, but he has been up and down. Aiden King is a talented No. 2. Offensively, the Gators have been middle of the road aside from Brendan Lawson who has nine homers with a .421 batting average. The bottom of the order has been a problem.