New coach wanted a BOWL win, the LSU players LIKE him and supported him to be promoted from interim to head coach
Louisville OL is weak vs LSU NFL beef
Louisville missing 2 CB's and a safety and a few others on "D" so LSU could open up the game a bit with their great receivers
LSU jelling late in the year after dealing with coach change and Fournette in and out of the lineup, the "backup" RB is now established
LSU played tougher schedule