LSU football’s offense is loaded with talent ahead of the 2025 college football season.

The unit is headlined by quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, a veteran entering his fifth year in Baton Rouge. Despite Nussmeier’s elder statesmanship, 2024 was his first year as the starter. He sat behind Jayden Daniels in 2022 and 2023, but showed his talent in spurts. Nussmeier was viewed as a strong breakout candidate entering the year, and for the most part, he delivered.

Now, Nussmeier is back. Brian Kelly’s staff worked the transfer portal hard, signing highly-touted wide receivers and experienced offensive linemen.

Those elements give LSU a chance to have the best offense in the SEC.

The numbers back it up. According to Bill Connelly’s SP+ projections, LSU’s offense ranks No. 2 in the country and sits atop the SEC.

For LSU to reach those heights, a few things need to go right.

Nussmeier needs to make the projected jump. Nussmeier looked like the best quarterback in the country at times in 2024. Take the final two drives vs. Ole Miss, where Nussmeier led LSU on a game-tying drive at the end of regulation and not long after found Kyren Lacy for the game-winning touchdown in overtime.

Then, Nussmeier and LSU hit a three-game funk. Nussmeier threw a combined five picks vs. Texas A&M and Alabama and averaged just 5.5 yards per attempt vs. Florida.

But the offense returned to form in week 13. LSU finished the year on a three-game winning streak, headlined by efficient play from Nussmeier. That’s the Nussmeier LSU needs in 2025.

Nussmeier will rely on an offensive line that’s replacing four starters from the 2024 unit — LSU’s biggest question mark heading into 2025. The Tigers on counting on inexperienced but talented players at both tackle spots. Kelly is bullish on the group, and if Tyree Adams and Weston Davis emerge, LSU’s offense has all the pieces to rank atop the SEC.

Part of that involves getting the ground game going again, too. LSU struggled to adjust without Jayden Daniels’ rushing threat at quarterback. LSU averaged 3.6 yards per carry in conference play, ranking No. 15 in the SEC. That won’t cut it if LSU envisions competing for a conference title and a playoff bid.

Kelly hired former Florida State offensive coordinator Alex Atkins to serve as LSU’s run game coordinator. The addition of Atkins, with running back Caden Durham returning, is reason for optimism about LSU’s rushing attack.

LSU’s offense won’t match the numbers from 2019 or 2023 — an unfair standard. But if LSU plays to its talent level, there’s not a defense in the SEC that can stop this unit.

This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: Is LSU football’s offense the best unit in the SEC?