Expectations are tricky. They set an arbitrary bar by which the season —  fairly or unfairly —  becomes judged.

The 2018 season is seen as a clear success after LSU went 10-3 and won the Fiesta Bowl 40-32 on Jan. 1 despite projections having LSU winning just six or seven games. It overcame arguably the toughest schedule in the country to take a large step forward under Ed Orgeron.

But the masses might not be as happy with 10-3 next season, and that’s the nature of expectations.