re: Is it Really 2016 or bust?

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that's a pretty extreme statement considering we will still be underdogs in the SEC west and still at a huge talent disadvantage to Alabama.

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It's not an extreme statement, it's on point. We get Bama and Ole Miss at home. TAMU is a train wreck, Auburn is in limbo, Miss St loses their best deep threat and Dak Prescott who broke all kinds of records. Usually teams hit a wall after their do everything QB leaves (Florida-Tebow, TAMU-Manziel, Auburn-Newton, Oregon-Mariota, Nevada-Kaepernick, etc). Arkansas loses their beast TE Henry, Brandon Allen at QB, and the top 2 RBs (as I think Alex Collins leaves early). Yes I know Bama is Bama and they reload, but 8-10 on defense 1st and 2nd string RB, starting QB, and staring TE who is their #3 pass catcher this year.

LSU brings back their starting QB as a junior, heisman level once in a decade RB as a junior, 3/5 OL and FB (getting the FB back is very important in our offense), and our 2 WRs who lead in receptions and receiving yards and TDs the past two years. On defense we bring back the entire starting DL and loaded secondary and get a top 5 DC. Also, if we get Beckwith back AND Arden Key moves to more of a rush end, we will be a force in the front 7.

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consider this, even if we finish with the #1 rivals class we will have finished 1,8,2,6,18 over the last 5 years in recruit rankings while bama will have finished #2,1,1,1,1 during that same time frame. Honestly I expect them to finish #1 again this year with a strong push at the end like they always do.

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Why use rivals and not composite? LSU finishes with it's 3rd consecutive top 5 class while Bama loses 8-10 guys on a ridiculous defense plus their top 2 RBs and starting QB. All of that never happens to Bama in the same year. I'm not saying they'll suck, but they will be hampered much more than usual.

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I think the only requirement for Miles this season is to get the most of the talent he has to work with and make it to a good bowl game with a strong #2 position in the SEC west. Do that and I think the reasonable fans will be satisfied. It's possible to win it all next year but we will be longshots.

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Nope. The requirement is to win the west. Bama loses at the very least 14 starters (I know a guy like Henry will declare) and could lose 16, which is insane! These are all at the most critical positions as well. LSU brings back 8-9 on offense and 6-7 on defense. Jefferson started for half the year so he could be added as well as the starter at safety which would give LSU 7-8 depending on Beckwith.

Anyway you slice it, depending on what Beckwith does, LSU will have its best team since 2011, and they need to do something with it.