This is a long read... an outlook on LSU's season as a whole, and the Wisconsin game this weekend.

Five years to the day of LSU's season opening win over Oregon in 2011, the Tigers will take the field in another high-profile, neutral-site game. Although Wisconsin certainly isn't of the same caliber as the Oregon team we faced in Jerry World, the overall comparisons between the 2011 LSU team and the current version have been made.

To be clear, I do not necessarily believe the 2016 team will be of the same quality as 2011. A position-by-position break down will favor the latter, mainly on defense and special teams. Of course, that is simply based on a projection of this year's team. We obviously can't know until we see this team in action. However, in 2011, there was a certain feel around the team that is almost impossible to describe. You had to be there. You had to watch them. Their talent, depth, and leadership was overwhelming; and everyone knew it, including our opponents.

Last season, through about seven games, some people (including Coach Miles) were making moderate comparisons to the 2011 team. In hindsight, we all know these were unjust. However, even at the time, I never felt last year's team was remotely close to the level of the 2011 SEC Champions. Despite the wins and individual records that were piling up through the first half of the season, it never had that feel. We weren't blowing away quality opponents. Our defense was lacking that "it" factor. When I walked into Bryant-Denny in 2011, I knew we were a really good team, with the potential for historic greatness. When I walked into Bryant-Denny in 2015, I really didn't know anything. I just knew we were undefeated, with all of the typical season goals of a crazed fan still in play.

Even before the three straight losses in November, I think a lot of us deep down were questioning the quality of last year's team. We didn't really know. How do you know? We hadn't been tested out of conference, and we really weren't tested too much in conference, up to that point in the season.

As foolish as it may sound, you know by how it feels. You know by how untouchable you feel walking into the stadium. You know by how demoralized opposing teams are at halftime. These feelings can be obtained no matter the strength of schedule we play. I think the wins over Oregon and West Virginia so convincingly in 2011 naturally strengthened those feelings even more. In 2015, after squeaking out a win in Starkville, struggling to display dominance against a much weaker Syracuse team, and failing to pull away from Florida in our first "big test" of the season; that magic wasn't there.

I say all of this because I believe the 2016 team is capable of making us feel that way. We are overflowing with talent at a lot of important positions. We should have tremendous leadership, with all of the key players returning from last year. The addition of Dave Aranda has created an excitement on defense that we haven't seen since the days of those 2010-2012 teams. All of the pieces are in place.

Do I believe the 2016 team will be as good as the 2011 team? No, I don't. Despite the final game of the season, I think the 2011 team was the best LSU team I've seen in my lifetime. They were a rarity not only at LSU, but for all of college football. However, I do believe that the 2016 can have the same level of success, and do it in a similar fashion - a dominant one. With November 5th and January 9th again taking their place on the college football calendar, we all turn our thoughts back to the games that took place on those dates five years ago. Now, the 2016 LSU Tigers are poised to write some history of their own.
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As for the opener against Wisconsin, LSU clearly is the better team on paper. We also have their old defensive coordinator, which we hope provides us with some schematic advantages. However, a partial Badger crowd and the large stage shouldn't be underestimated.

I say that we are capable of domination, and I mean it. However, even the 2011 team was unable to pull away from some lesser opponents (you'll recall a 19-7 victory over Mississippi State). I think this could be a similar game to that one. A game in which the Tigers never really feel comfortable on the scoreboard, but at the same time, it never feels like they are in any true danger of losing the game.

The Wisconsin defensive line is nothing to overlook. Their ability to run stop is known, and on paper they match up pretty decently with our style of offense. Of course, we will have a talent advantage. And the question remains whether the depth of the Badger defensive line will be as strong as a year ago. They'll take it as a personal challenge to stop Leonard Fournette, and that's fine and understandable. Our offensive line is talented and experienced, and Guice will pair with Fournette to form what is maybe the best 1-2 tailback punch in LSU's history.

A lot of the talk in the offseason is about the hopeful improvement of Brandon Harris, and rightfully so. Quarterback is a hugely important position, no matter the team. While I believe that Harris carried too much of the blame last year, that was probably due to a build up of years of desired quarterback play in recent seasons that, for the most part, hasn't come. Make no mistake, the phrase "game manager" is vastly overused. We likely need a guy who can make big plays that alter games if we want to win championships this season. We've definitely seen flashes of Harris being that guy in the past. As an upperclassman in his second year starting under center, hopefully we see it more consistently.

The defense will be dominant. Special teams will be improved. We return more than any team in the nation. We have the best player in the nation. We have a very quality football team. At least, that's how it feels.

LSU and Wisconsin probably play a close, low-scoring game in the first half. Wisconsin may even have the lead. LSU wears down its opponent in the second half. The Badgers will feel demoralized, looking up and being in striking distance on the scoreboard, yet not truly feeling they have a chance to win the game.

LSU: 31
Wisconsin: 17