Should LSU football be the favorite to win SEC West in 2023? 5 questions after big bowl win

ORLANDO, Fla. ― No. 16 LSU football capped coach Brian Kelly's first season with about as big of an exclamation point as it could have on Monday.

The Tigers (10-4) annihilated a depleted Purdue squad in the Citrus Bowl, setting the bowl record for points scored and margin of victory in a 63-7 romp.

It's hard to glean much from this victory for LSU. Purdue (8-6) was missing its starting quarterback Aidan O'Connell, star wide receiver Charlie Jones and had its coach, Jeff Brohm, depart for Louisville just weeks prior to the game.

But that doesn't mean there aren't any questions surrounding the Tigers as they head into the offseason and spring practices.

Here are our final five questions surrounding LSU football this season.

Should LSU be the SEC West favorites entering 2023?

LSU is in about as good of a spot as it could have hoped for heading into Kelly's second season in Baton Rouge.

Not only did the Tigers post a double-digit win total, but the vast majority of the starting offense is returning in 2023. This includes LSU's top six offensive linemen, quarterback Jayden Daniels, lead running back Josh Williams and most of its top receivers, most notably Malik Nabers, Brian Thomas Jr. and Mason Taylor.

The defense will be restructured but still returns star linebacker Harold Perkins, safeties Greg Brooks and Major Burns, defensive tackle Maason Smith from injury and AP third-team All-American Mekhi Wingo. And with the No. 3 transfer portal class and the No. 7 recruiting class in the nation, according to 247Sports Composite, the Tigers should be much deeper on both sides of the ball next season.

But keep in mind: There's a lot of offseason still to complete. The transfer portal will stay open until Jan. 18. A second window lasts from May 1-15. Plus, another recruiting signing period for the Class of 2023 will begin Feb. 1.

Nothing predictions-wise should be definitive as of now. And nothing will be easy in the SEC West next season with Alabama adding the No. 1 recruiting class in the nation, Texas A&M bringing back a lot of five-star talent and the rest of the division being as deep as it is.

LSU has a good shot at repeating as SEC West champions and even reaching the College Football Playoff if all goes well. But don't put any money on it just yet.

What roster holes still need to be addressed heading into 2023?

Outside cornerback could use some help, especially with Sevyn Banks' status still being up in the air.

LSU has done a decent job of rebuilding. with former five-star signee and Texas A&M transfer Denver Harris, top-60 prospect Javien Toviano and highly-regarded Southeastern transfer Zy Alexander. But none of them have played a full season of snaps against Power 5 competition.

Adding a veteran or at least another depth piece to provide more competition to the room would only help.

Beyond cornerback, linebacker could use some fortifying after Mike Jones Jr. told WAFB on Monday that the Citrus Bowl was his final game for LSU. With Micah Baskerville also out of eligibility, the Tigers may add a player from the portal there.

Depending on if John Emery Jr. returns, running back could be a spot of need as well.

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Can Malik Nabers become LSU's next legendary wide receiver?

It would be surprising if he didn't. After grabbing nine catches for 163 yards and scoring two touchdowns on Monday, Nabers finished his sophomore year with 72 receptions for 1,017 yards and four total touchdowns. According to Pro Football Focus, he generated nearly six yards after the catch per reception.

Kayshon Boutte, who was supposed to be the star of the offense, had 479 fewer receiving yards and 24 fewer receptions than Nabers this season. And Nabers' stat line this year bests any of Boutte's previous campaigns.

Not only was Nabers LSU's best receiver this year, but he also heads into next season with his starting quarterback returning. Daniels and Nabers clearly had strong chemistry this year; that should grow exponentially in Year 2.

Will LSU have four scholarship quarterbacks for spring practice?

Probably.

Between Garrett Nussmeier, Daniels, Walker Howard and four-star signee Rickie Collins, Nussmeier is the most likely to leave. Nussmeier has shown that he's good enough to start at a Power 5 school immediately and would enter the spring as LSU's second-string quarterback.

But, as we explored following the Citrus Bowl, Nussmeier's performances in the SEC Championship Game and Citrus Bowl, combined with Kelly's willingness to play him in the bowl game, may give him enough of a reason to stick around for the spring.

Is Brian Kelly on track to eventually win a national championship at LSU?

Undoubtedly yes. A lot can change next season and moving forward, but LSU is on the right path.

Koki Riley covers LSU sports for The Daily Advertiser and the USA TODAY Sports South Region. Email him at kriley@theadvertiser.com and follow him on Twitter at @KokiRiley.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: LSU football questions after bowl win, before 2023 spring practice