The opposite of a perfect storm took hold for LSU’s 2017 season.

The Tigers lost their first nonconference home game in 17 years to Troy, and to follow that up, LSU had just three home conference games. Only one of those league games was against a marquee opponent, too, in Auburn. LSU finished its regular season at 9-3, and with that came the lowest attendance mark since the 2014 renovations to Tiger Stadium.

There was hope on the horizon, though.