After a 31 -- 20 upset of favored Tennessee , LSU played in the 2002 Sugar Bowl in New Orleans , Louisiana .
After a 31 -- 20 upset of favored Tennessee , LSU defeated yet another higher ranked opponent , Illinois , 47 -- 34 .
After a 31 -- 20 upset of favored Tennessee , LSU played in the 2002 Sugar Bowl in New Orleans , Louisiana , and defeated yet another higher ranked opponent , Illinois , 47 -- 34 .