LSU’s season ends Saturday afternoon in Tiger Stadium.

It was clear in the season-opening loss to Mississippi State that the defending national champions would not be returning to the CFP.

After 3 games the Tigers were out of the SEC race.

A winning season became impossible after a 55-17 loss at the hands of No. 1 Alabama 2 weeks ago.

Now a bowl game is out of the picture because LSU self-imposed a postseason ban to try and mitigate upcoming NCAA sanctions.

So it would be understandable to just think “good riddance, 2020” as the Tigers prepare to face Ole Miss.

But LSU can accomplish stuff in this game – not the lofty stuff that gets painted on signs that get hung in the locker room in August, but nonetheless noteworthy stuff, stuff that can be pride-enhancing, stuff that makes 2020 look not quite as bad as it once did, stuff that can make the anticipation of 2021 a bit more hopeful.

Here are 5 things LSU can accomplish against Ole Miss:

1. Show that last week wasn’t a fluke

The Tigers played their best game of the season last week when they upset then-No. 6 Florida, 37-34.

It was far from perfect. They gave up more than 600 yards, they could have easily lost, they benefited from some meltdowns by the Gators.

But they played well, they played smart, they played with heart and they outperformed a more talented team when the stakes were the highest.

If LSU reverts to how it played in its losses, last week’s game will look like an aberration rather than a turning point.

A repeat of last week’s performance would demonstrate an embattled team finally figuring things out, pulling together and heading into the offseason on an upward trend.

2. Avoid a losing record

A 5-5 record isn’t going to look real good in the media guide coming right after 15-0.

But it will look better than 4-6.

A win would give the Tigers consecutive wins for the only time this season.

Again, 5-5 isn’t much of a final grade, but in the context that saw LSU sitting at 0-1, 1-2 and 3-5, it would be valuable going forward.

3. Set the stage for an exciting QB competition

Max Johnson gave the team a lift in his first start against Florida.

A repeat performance by him would be energizing.

TJ Finley showed flashes of promise in his 5 starts and Myles Brennan matched or exceeded expectations before being injured. Garrett Nussmeier joined the group as a 4-star recruit Wednesday.

None of these guys is going to be Joe Burrow next season, but there’s a lot to work with here.

If Johnson, like the team as a whole, demonstrates that last week wasn’t a fluke, it ramps up hope for next season.

4. Show the seniors proper appreciation

Nothing has been normal this season and Senior Day won’t be either.

The NCAA hit the pause button on everyone’s eligibility so we don’t know which of the 14 seniors are actually playing their last game in Tiger Stadium on Saturday, though S JaCoby Stevens said this week he’s headed to the NFL.

Nonetheless, these seniors stuck around to the end while a bunch of their teammates jumped ship because they had an NFL lifeboat waiting for them.

The ones who stuck around saw their commitment to the program and the university to the end. They kept a bad season from being even worse if they had bolted.

Guys such as Stevens, LBs Andre Anthony, Ray Thornton and Jabril Cox, DE Glen Logan, OLs Austin Deculus and Liam Shanahan, WRs Jontre Kirklin and Racey McMath, FB Tory Carter and P Zach Rosenberg will be recognized inside a mostly empty Tiger Stadium.

Their senior season was unlike anyone else’s.

They couldn’t prevent the disappointment of the final record, but their loyalty enhanced the program.

5. Beat Ole Miss

It’s Ole Miss, for crying out loud.

The Rebels have had a better season than the Tigers. They’re feeling good about what they’ve done and their prospects for a bowl game.

LSU can rain on their parade.

That’s what LSU and Ole Miss have always tried to do to one another.

Perhaps 2020 can end with a small taste of normalcy.