Why they’ll be good
Talent, talent, talent
Offensive line continuity (4 returning starters)
Why they’ll be bad
They won’t, but by their own lofty standards, they won’t see it as a good season. The attrition they’ve faced over the past two seasons with so many underclassmen jumping ship to the NFL will catch up with them in the meat of their schedule.
Schedule prediction
vs. Wisconsin – W
vs. Sam Houston St. – W
vs. La-Monroe – W
vs. Mississippi St. – W
vs. New Mexico St. – W
@ Auburn – L
@ Florida – L
vs. Kentucky – W
vs. Ole Miss – W
vs. Bama – L
@ Arkansas – W
@ TAMU – W
Summary
Like most LSU teams that have taken the field since 2002, this team is loaded with talent. The difference is that most of the guys in key positions have limited experience. They lose a two year starter at QB and replace him with either a freshman who showed flashes to defeat Arkansas, but was anything but special in the bowl game OR with a true freshman. They lose their top 3 receivers from past season in WRs Odell Beckham, Jr & Jarvis Landry and RB Jeremy Hill who all went pro. They’re deep at both positions with plenty of guys who have played meaningful minutes. They return 4 starters on their offensive line and on paper should have the best line in the conference.
Their defense will be young as well. Both starting tackles (Ego Ferguson & Anthony Johnson) bolted for the league and must be replaced. Can Kwon Alexander stay healthy at linebacker? Will the light come on for super talented LB Kendell Beckwith?
I think Auburn, Florida, and Bama’s experience will defeat them in 3 of their 5 biggest games. Of course, by the time they play Bama & Ole Miss, they won’t be freshmen anymore. This team, if it stays intact, will do very special things down the road. Most teams that take lumps don’t end up with a 9 win season. But the bar is set high in Baton Rouge. I have them going 9-3 and to the Capital One or Chik-Fil-A Bowl.
Your thoughts?
Talent, talent, talent
Offensive line continuity (4 returning starters)
Why they’ll be bad
They won’t, but by their own lofty standards, they won’t see it as a good season. The attrition they’ve faced over the past two seasons with so many underclassmen jumping ship to the NFL will catch up with them in the meat of their schedule.
Schedule prediction
vs. Wisconsin – W
vs. Sam Houston St. – W
vs. La-Monroe – W
vs. Mississippi St. – W
vs. New Mexico St. – W
@ Auburn – L
@ Florida – L
vs. Kentucky – W
vs. Ole Miss – W
vs. Bama – L
@ Arkansas – W
@ TAMU – W
Summary
Like most LSU teams that have taken the field since 2002, this team is loaded with talent. The difference is that most of the guys in key positions have limited experience. They lose a two year starter at QB and replace him with either a freshman who showed flashes to defeat Arkansas, but was anything but special in the bowl game OR with a true freshman. They lose their top 3 receivers from past season in WRs Odell Beckham, Jr & Jarvis Landry and RB Jeremy Hill who all went pro. They’re deep at both positions with plenty of guys who have played meaningful minutes. They return 4 starters on their offensive line and on paper should have the best line in the conference.
Their defense will be young as well. Both starting tackles (Ego Ferguson & Anthony Johnson) bolted for the league and must be replaced. Can Kwon Alexander stay healthy at linebacker? Will the light come on for super talented LB Kendell Beckwith?
I think Auburn, Florida, and Bama’s experience will defeat them in 3 of their 5 biggest games. Of course, by the time they play Bama & Ole Miss, they won’t be freshmen anymore. This team, if it stays intact, will do very special things down the road. Most teams that take lumps don’t end up with a 9 win season. But the bar is set high in Baton Rouge. I have them going 9-3 and to the Capital One or Chik-Fil-A Bowl.
Your thoughts?
