Greetings from Orlando. What is certainly LSU's most-anticipated season opener in more than a decade is at hand with the Tigers taking on Florida State at 6:30 p.m. CDT Sunday here on ABC. The Tigers are trying to break a three-game losing streak in season openers. But much more important than that, LSU is trying to get off on the right foot to stay in strong contention for the College Football Playoff. The loser isn't out of CFP contention, but they are left with absolutely no margin for error the rest of the way. It's that big for the Tigers and Seminoles. LSU went 10-4 in its first season under Brian Kelly, but even bigger things are expected for his Tigers this time around. Kelly has delivered on those kinds of second-year expectations in the past, giving him a chance to be one of the few college football coaches to make their biggest leap in year two at a school. Our centerpiece for Sunday's game is a feature on Jayden Daniels, LSU's quarterback who has gone from question mark to trendy Heisman Trophy pick. My game day column is about how LSU's brand may never have been stronger than it is today, reminiscent of when Florida State was the "cool school" to attend in the 1980s and 90s. A strong athletic brand doesn't mean LSU wins them all. That was the case Friday as a five-star in-state defensive lineman picked an out-of-state school over That's all for today, folks. Please keep up with us here for all our coverage from Orlando and all season long. Scott Rabalais |