Ed Orgeron’s start to his LSU head coaching career went pretty well considering he took over a month into the season and only after the Tigers were upset twice on the gridiron before the calendar hit October. Once hired, Coach O worked quickly to revamp the program and if not for a 10-point loss to Alabama and a six-point loss to Florida, LSU would have quickly turned the nightmare year into a dream season.

Looking ahead to 2017, that’s exactly what Orgeron is predicting for his team next season.

Following the team’s 29-9 win over Louisville, a game in which the Tigers held Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Lamar Jackson to 10 completions on 27 throws and 33 rushing yards on 26 carries, Orgeron made a bold prediction in the locker room.

“Coach O told us in the locker room,” offensive lineman Will Clapp said, according to Ross Dellenger of The Advocate. “‘it’s a great win, but next season, things are going to be different. We’re going to be in it (College Football Playoff).’”

If LSU does indeed find itself playing for a national title next season, it very well could be thanks to hiring offensive coordinator Matt Canada to team up with arguably the nation’s best defensive coordinator in Dave Aranda. Canada is well-known for his ability to not only adjust his system to best utilize his personnel but by getting results quickly in Year One. For example, in his only season at Pitt this year, Canada helped senior quarterback Nathan Peterman to his best season.

For his accomplishments, Canada was nominated for the Broyles Award, given annually to the nation’s best assistant coach.

So far, all the lofty promises Orgeron has made at LSU have come to fruition. With his grandest proclamation of them all coming shortly after his biggest win at LSU, his team has quite the mountain to climb in order to keep Coach O’s stellar record intact on the Bayou.