What Is 2017 LSU Tigers football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2017 LSU Tigers football team represented Louisiana State University during the 2017 NCAA Division I FBS football season, finishing with a 10–3 record under head coach Ed Orgeron. They won the Citrus Bowl 27–23 against Notre Dame after a strong second-half season surge.

Key Facts

Finished the season with a 10–3 overall record
Defeated Notre Dame 27–23 in the Citrus Bowl on January 1, 2018
Started the season 2–3 before winning eight of their last nine games
Quarterback Danny Etling threw for 2,461 yards and 22 touchdowns
Defensive end Arden Key recorded 5.5 sacks and 13.5 tackles for loss

Overview

The 2017 LSU Tigers football team represented Louisiana State University in the 2017 NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) season. Led by first-year full-time head coach Ed Orgeron, the team competed in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Western Division and played their home games at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge.

After a rocky 2–3 start, the Tigers rallied to win eight of their final nine games, finishing the regular season 9–3 and securing a spot in the Citrus Bowl. Their strong finish culminated in a 27–23 victory over Notre Dame, marking LSU’s first 10-win season since 2013.

Record: The team finished with a 10–3 overall record, including a 6–2 mark in SEC conference play.
Head Coach: Ed Orgeron took over permanently after serving as interim coach in 2016, leading the team to a 10-win season in his first full year.
Bowl Game: LSU defeated the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 27–23 in the 2018 Citrus Bowl on January 1, 2018, in Orlando, Florida.
Offensive Leader: Quarterback Danny Etling passed for 2,461 yards and 22 touchdowns with only five interceptions on the season.
Defensive Standout: Defensive end Arden Key recorded 5.5 sacks and 13.5 tackles for loss, anchoring one of the nation’s top defensive lines.

Season Performance

The 2017 campaign was defined by resilience and mid-season turnaround, as LSU overcame early losses to rebuild momentum and secure a top-10 finish.

Early Struggles: LSU began the season 2–3, losing to Mississippi State, #13 Auburn, and #1 Alabama by a combined 13 points.
Turning Point: A 27–23 win over #13 Auburn on October 14 sparked an 8–1 run to close the season.
Key Victory: A 37–7 win over #7 Florida on October 7 marked a turning point in the team’s confidence and national perception.
Rushing Attack: Running back Derrius Guice rushed for 1,387 yards and 11 touchdowns before leaving for the NFL Draft.
Defensive Stats: LSU’s defense ranked 12th nationally in total defense, allowing just 305.5 yards per game.
Special Teams: Colby Delahoussaye served as placekicker, making 17 of 21 field goals, including a long of 52 yards.

Comparison at a Glance

LSU’s 2017 season compared favorably to recent campaigns, marking a significant improvement over the 2016 team.

Season	Overall Record	SEC Record	Bowl Game	Final AP Rank
2017	10–3	6–2	Citrus Bowl (W 27–23 vs. Notre Dame)	#8
2016	8–4	5–3	no bowl (ineligible)	NR
2015	9–3	5–3	Music City Bowl (W 27–24 vs. Louisville)	#12
2014	8–5	4–4	Liberty Bowl (L 21–44 vs. Texas Tech)	NR
2013	10–3	6–2	Chick-fil-A Bowl (W 21–14 vs. Clemson)	#10

The 2017 season mirrored the 2013 campaign in terms of win total and bowl success, but with a higher final AP ranking. The team’s ability to rebound from early adversity demonstrated improved mental toughness under Orgeron’s leadership. Additionally, player development and defensive execution were markedly better than in previous years, helping LSU reclaim a spot among the nation’s elite programs.

Why It Matters

The 2017 season was a pivotal moment in LSU football history, restoring national relevance and setting the foundation for future success under Ed Orgeron.

Program Momentum: The 10-win season revitalized fan support and recruiting momentum, especially in Louisiana and Texas.
Coach Validation: Orgeron’s performance silenced critics and earned him a long-term contract extension through 2023.
Player Development: The season showcased LSU’s ability to develop NFL-caliber talent, with Guice and Key both entering the 2018 NFL Draft.
Bowl Prestige: Winning the Citrus Bowl, a New Year’s Day game, elevated LSU’s national profile and bowl revenue.
SEC Standing: The team’s 6–2 conference record kept them competitive in the SEC West despite not winning the division.
Future Outlook: The success laid the groundwork for continued competitiveness, including a College Football Playoff appearance in 2019.

In summary, the 2017 LSU Tigers football team overcame early setbacks to deliver one of the most memorable and impactful seasons of the decade. Their resilience, defensive strength, and late-season dominance reestablished LSU as a national powerhouse and set a new standard for the program under Ed Orgeron.