| We now have clear picture of what is expected of the LSU Tigers in 2023. LSU isn't a lock or even likely to make the last four-team College Football Playoff (it expands to 12 next season). But the Tigers are right there. With enough wins, and maybe a little help, they're right there. The Associated Press media poll came out Monday, and like in the USA Today coaches' poll LSU was ranked No. 5. It matched LSU's preseason ranking in the 2016 preseason AP poll and is LSU's highest ranking to start a season since the Tigers were No. 3 in 2012. Florida State, which LSU plays in its Sept. 3 season opener in Orlando, Florida, starts at No. 8. That makes this the Tigers' first top-10 season-opening matchup since No. 4 LSU beat No. 3 Oregon 40-27 in 2011 in Arlington, Texas. Full disclosure here: I'm one of the 63 voters on this year's AP poll. Here's where I had LSU ranked on my preseason ballot along with all the rest. Meanwhile, practice grinds on just past the halfway point of preseason camp in the stifling August heat. Our Wilson Alexander is here with a fresh batch of surprisingly non-wilted practice observations. A former Tiger made news Monday. The Saints need running backs and they've reached out to former LSU Tiger Darrel Williams to help fill some of the gaps. Finally, we're counting down the days to that FSU season opener. Tuesday marks 19 days, so we remember No. 19, cornerback Jonathan Zenon, with this excerpt from my book "LSU By The Numbers." Don't wait for the movie, order a copy today! While you're doing that, we're going fill up the water bottle and make sure we have enough sunscreen for Tuesday's practice. Check out more content from LSU football at TheAdvocate.com and NOLA.com. Scott Rabalais | 