LSU football vs. Baylor in Texas Bowl: Prediction on who wins SEC-Big 12 showdown

Posted by author December 31, 2024 Football

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HOUSTON – Will LSU football end the 2024 season on a high note?

To do so, the Tigers will have to take down Baylor in the Texas Bowl inside NRG Stadium in Houston on New Year’s Eve (2:30 p.m., ESPN).

LSU has won the first two bowl games under head coach Brian Kelly, and a victory over the Bears Tuesday would give Kelly’s program three straight seasons with at least nine wins.

The Tigers (8-4) will be without six players that have decided to opt out of the Texas Bowl, headlined by star offensive tackles Will Campbell and Emery Jones Jr. and tight end Mason Taylor, who all announced they are entering the 2025 NFL Draft.

Left guard Garrett Dellinger, who has been injured since the Texas A&M game, is sitting out to heal up for the draft process while standout wide receiver Kyren Lacy has also opted out to begin NFL Draft preparations. Safety Major Burns is the lone defensive starter to not play for LSU in the Texas Bowl.

Junior quarterback Garrett Nussmeier will play in the Texas Bowl for LSU, as he has announced he will be returning for the 2025 season. Where LSU will look the most like itself will be on defense, as players like linebacker Greg Penn III and cornerback Zy Alexander are participating in the bowl game.

LSU football vs. Baylor in Texas Bowl: Score prediction

Baylor 42, LSU 38: There will be plenty of points scored in this Texas Bowl. It may come down to who has the ball last. Winning six straight, the Bears (8-4) are playing their best ball at the right time.

What channel is LSU vs Baylor on today?

LSU Tigers versus Baylor Bears in the Texas Bowl will broadcast live on ESPN from NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. Streaming options for the game include the ESPN app (with a cable login) and Fubo, which offers a free trial to potential subscribers.

LSU vs Baylor start time

Date: Tuesday, Dec. 31
Time: 2:30 p.m. CT

LSU and Baylor kickoff at 2:30 p.m. inside NRG Stadium in Houston.

LSU football schedule 2024

Here’s a look at LSU’s 2024 football schedule:

Sunday, Sept. 1: vs. No. 23 USC (L, 27-20)
Saturday, Sept. 7: vs. Nicholls (W, 44-21)
Saturday, Sept. 14: at South Carolina* (W, 36-33)
Saturday, Sept. 21: vs. UCLA (W, 34-17)
Saturday, Sept. 28: vs. South Alabama (W, 42-10)
Saturday, Oct. 5: BYE
Saturday, Oct. 12: vs. No. 8 Ole Miss* (W, 29-26, OT)
Saturday, Oct. 19: at Arkansas* (W, 34-10)
Saturday, Oct. 26: at No. 14 Texas A&M* (L 38-23)
Saturday, Nov. 2: BYE
Saturday, Nov. 9: vs. No. 15 Alabama* (L 42-13)
Saturday, Nov. 16: at Florida* (L 27-16)
Saturday, Nov. 23: vs. No. 25 Vanderbilt* (W 24-17)
Saturday, Nov. 30: vs. Oklahoma* (W 37-17)

*Denotes conference game

Cory Diaz covers the LSU Tigers for The Daily Advertiser as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his Tigers coverage on Twitter: @ByCoryDiaz. Got questions regarding LSU athletics? Send them to Cory Diaz at bdiaz@gannett.com.