Kristian Fulton
Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields throws a pass against Clemson during the first half of the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football playoff semifinal Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
AP Top 25 Reality Check: A familiar top 10 looking to 2020

By Ralph D. Russo Jan. 14, 2020 02:22 PM EST

FILE - In this Oct. 12, 2019, file photo, Clemson's Isaiah Simmons (11) and Denzel Johnson react after making a defensive play during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Florida State, in Clemson, S.C. Simmons was selected to The Associated Press All-Atlantic Coast Conference football team, and named Defensive Player of the Year, Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019. (AP Photo/Richard Shiro, File)
Can Clemson's versatile defenders flummox LSU and Burrow?

By Ralph D. Russo Jan. 08, 2020 06:02 PM EST

FILE - In this Sept. 7, 2019, file photo, LSU cornerback Derek Stingley Jr., left, breaks up a pass intended for Texas wide receiver Collin Johnson during the first half of an NCAA college football game, in Austin, Texas. Stingley was selected as newcomer of the year on The Associated Press All-Southeastern Conference football team, Monday, Dec. 9, 2019. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)
LSU freshman cornerback Stingley will be tested vs Oklahoma

By John Zenor Dec. 23, 2019 02:09 AM EST

LSU running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire (22) carries against Texas A&M linebacker Buddy Johnson (1) and defensive back Keldrick Carper during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019. LSU won 50-7. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
LSU's Burrow, Auburn's Brown named AP SEC players of year

By Steve Megargee Dec. 09, 2019 11:06 AM EST

LSU safety JaCoby Stevens (3) pulls in an interception in the end zone on a pass intended for Texas A&M wide receiver Kendrick Rogers (13) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019. LSU won 50-7. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
No. 1 LSU sees hope for maligned defense in SEC title game

By Brett Martel Dec. 03, 2019 05:10 PM EST

FILE - In this Sept. 7, 2019, file photo, LSU head coach Ed Orgeron celebrates a defensive stop against Texas during an NCAA football game, in Austin, Texas. For the first time in college football history, there will be two games matching teams of at least 8-0 on the same day, according to ESPN Facts and Info. In Tuscaloosa, Alabama, LSU and the Crimson Tide will play the first regular-season game matching AP Nos. 1 and 2 since 2011 _ when No. 1 LSU beat No. 2 Alabama 9-6 in overtime. (Nick Wagner/Austin American-Statesman via AP, File)
8 years later, it's No. 1 LSU versus No. 2 Alabama again

By John Zenor Nov. 08, 2019 09:05 AM EST

Alabama wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (4) acknowledges the crowd as Alabama wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (17) celebrates with him following a touchdown reception during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Arkansas, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
LSU, Alabama loaded with playmaking wide receivers

By John Zenor Nov. 07, 2019 01:06 AM EST

Vanderbilt tight end Jared Pinkney (80) is brought down by Missouri safety Joshuah Bledsoe (18) in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
SEC showing off most promising crop of 1st-round NFL talent

By Mark Long Oct. 23, 2019 01:20 PM EDT

FILE - In this Aug. 31, 2019, file photo, LSU quarterback Joe Burrow (9) throws a pass during an NCAA football game against Georgia Southern in Baton Rouge, La. The LSU defense is dotted with players projected as future NFL first-round draft picks. And the Tigers unveiled a new up-tempo offense last week that saw Burrow tie a school record with five touchdown passes in the first half. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman, File)
Texas-LSU will measure if Longhorns are really back

By Jim Vertuno Sep. 06, 2019 01:25 PM EDT

Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger (11) throws against Louisiana Tech during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Burrow leads No. 6 LSU into Austin to play No. 9 Texas

By The Associated Press Sep. 05, 2019 01:56 PM EDT

FILE - In this April 6,2019, file photo, LSU coach Ed Orgeron, left, gives freshman cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. (24) a pat on the head after talking with him briefly after Stingley fielded a punt during the NCAA college football team's spring scrimmage n Baton Rouge, La. Stingley was the nation’s No. 1 prospect in his class according to Rivals and was rated third according to the 247Sports Composite. Travis Spradling/The Advocate via AP, File)
No. 6 LSU opens against Georgia Southern

By The Associated Press Aug. 29, 2019 03:30 PM EDT

FILE - In this April 6, 2019, file photo, Clemson's Trevor Lawrence drops back to pass during Clemson's annual Orange and White NCAA college football spring scrimmage in Clemson, S.C. After leading Clemson to a national championship as a freshman, Lawrence was selected an AP preseason All-American by poll voters. (AP Photo/Richard Shiro, File)
Clemson QB Lawrence leads AP preseason All-America team

By Ralph D. Russo Aug. 20, 2019 12:01 PM EDT

LSU wide receiver Justin Jefferson (2) works out during their NCAA college football practice in Baton Rouge, La., Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2019. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
With new offense, new digs, LSU eyes 'special' 2019 season

By Brett Martel Aug. 12, 2019 12:08 PM EDT

FILE - In this Nov. 23, 2018, file photo, Missouri defensive lineman Jordan Elliott, left, hits Arkansas quarterback Ty Storey, right, causing him to fumble the ball, during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Columbia, Mo. Elliott is expected to emerge as one of Missouri’s top defensive players in 2019. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson, File)
14 SEC players who could have breakthrough seasons

By The Associated Press Apr. 22, 2019 10:53 AM EDT

FILE - In this Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018, file photo, Florida head coach Dan Mullen watches from the sideline in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Vanderbilt in Nashville, Tenn. Mullen's Gators, the only team to beat LSU, have an earlier loss to Kentucky that could prove costly in the head-to-head competition depending on how the coming weeks play out. Florida (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)
It's nitty gritty time for SEC championship contenders

By John Zenor Oct. 24, 2018 12:26 PM EDT

Mississippi State quarterback Nick Fitzgerald (7) is stopped by LSU linebacker Jacob Phillips (6) during an NCAA college football game in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman)
Defense leads No. 5 LSU past No. 22 MSU, 19-3

By Brett Martel Oct. 20, 2018 10:29 PM EDT

Purdue wide receiver Isaac Zico (7) celebrates a touchdown catch with running back Markell Jones (8) and wide receiver Rondale Moore (4) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Ohio State in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Purdue routs No. 2 Ohio State 49-20, shakes by CFP chase

By The Associated Press Oct. 20, 2018 06:01 PM EDT

Northwestern's Clayton Thorson throws a pass against Nebraska during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018, in Evanston, Ill. (AP Photo/Jim Young)
Saturday's best

By The Associated Press Oct. 13, 2018 09:57 PM EDT

LSU safety John Battle (26), with assistance from cornerback Greedy Williams (29), intercepts a pass from Georgia quarterback Jake Fromm intended for wide receiver Jeremiah Holloman, rear, during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018, in Baton Rouge, La. (Bob Andres/Atlanta Journal Constitution via AP)
LSU's Orgeron takes signature win over No. 2 Georgia, 36-16

By Brett Martel Oct. 13, 2018 07:17 PM EDT

Ohio State quarterback Dwayne Haskins drops back to pass against Minnesota during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018, in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State beat Minnesota 30-14. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
No. 13 LSU beats No. 2 Georgia 36-16 at Death Valley

By The Associated Pres Oct. 13, 2018 05:16 PM EDT