Quick thoughts from LSU’s 31-28 loss to Notre Dame in the Music City Bowl. 

What it means: The Tigers finish with eight wins for the first time since 2008, a result of spotty quarterback play throughout and the terrors of life in the SEC West. Notre Dame’s postseason victory snapped the Irish’s four-game losing skid heading into Nashville.

What I liked: Punched in the mouth early after Notre Dame managed a touchdown drive on its opening possession of the game, LSU’s defense came up big on the Irish’s ensuing possession after safety Jamal Adams stopped quarterback Malik Zaire for a 4-yard loss on 4th-and-1 inside the Tigers 20 late in the first quarter. Threatening to score, the Irish were knocking on the door of a 14-0 lead, but LSU had other plans. LSU tight end Desean Smith caught four passes for 66 yards — all for first downs — after coming into the game without a single reception this season.

What I didn’t like: LSU’s third-down defense, especially late in the game against the dual-quarterback tandem of Zaire and Everett Golson. Too many times, the Tigers were in position to make plays and didn’t, resulting in the SEC’s first loss of the postseason. Notre Dame converted 11-of-17 times on third down and for the most part, handled an athletic defensive line in the trenches thanks to excellent play from its tackles.

Key play(s): Notre Dame blocked a field goal with 11:56 left to play that would’ve given LSU a 31-28 lead. It was the second time the Irish snuffed out a special teams scoring opportunity after stopping Brad Kragthorpe just short of the goal line with five seconds to play in the first half on a fake field goal try.

Who’s the man: Leonard Fournette, who else? The freshman tailback rushed for 143 yards and two touchdowns to go along with his first career kickoff return score, a 100-yard burst through a seam in the second quarter.

What’s next: LSU’s coaching staff will hit the recruiting trail hard in the New Year in hopes of adding several early contributors to an established arsenal heading into next season.