re: LSU at Texas preview (in depth)

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They moved Sullivan to TE. He gained some weight. He is a monster. The passing coordinator wants to use him as a Jimmy Graham. Maybe isolate him with a nickel or LB and target him in that way like Gronk and Graham did.

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With that move it sounds like you'll try to use Sullivan like we used Lil' Jordan Humphrey last year. Sullivan seems too light to be an effective blocker at this point.

They got him at 6’7 250 pounds. WRers notoriously don’t block all that well. If we use him it will be more for spread formations to isolate him on a nickel or LB. They may do that just to draw attention and take an extra LBer out of the run game and just run a spread QB option with it too or just some nice little easy RPOs.

If it’s just like Jimmy Graham, it would be mostly some slot work and some formation with him out wide to see if they can get red zone jump ball fade working on a smaller corner.

I think the best word to describe both teams from last year is inconsistent. I don’t think there’s an excuse for either Texas losing to Maryland or LSU losing to UF. At their best, both teams demolished UGA, a proven contender.

Orgeron has done a good job addressing some of the weaknesses, but he still has to prove he can win with consistency. Herman also has lost to teams he shouldn’t at UH and UT. However, he seems to be nails against better competition, so I expect this game to be a war.

Out of curiosity, what season outcome do you think it would take for UT fans to really believe Texas is back to being elite?

Most LSU fans believe the season would be a failure with another 9-3 record, and many even think 10-2 would be underperforming this year, barring some 2007-type weirdness or injury at crucial positions. Keep in mind, that’s with away games against Alabama and Texas on the schedule.

I get the impression both fanbases have very high expectations this year, but I would like to hear more from UT fans about theirs.

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Out of curiosity, what season outcome do you think it would take for UT fans to really believe Texas is back to being elite?

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00 Tech Grad, we need to win the Big XII for me to feel like the season was a success. To be considered elite Texas also needs to make the playoff and show they belong.

I thought you meant a turnover and then a quick drive score. I meant a score with the defense on the field. I agree. I think the matchup that matters in this game the most is LSU’s offense vs Texas’ defense. If we are productive on offense it will be a long game for y’all because I don’t think y’all will be able to score consistently on our defense. If we aren’t, y’all can keep it close and anything could happen.

I think what will really determine this game is we return most of our defensive starters whereas y’all don’t. It’s not that I think the talent isn’t there for y’all on defense, it definitely is. I just think y’all will be hurt a lot by this being the second game of the season. I think it’s too early for your defense to be ready. But tbh like I said when this first came up I wish we were playing yall’s 2018 team. I want good football. If y’alls defense isn’t ready like I’m predicting then that will kind of suck IMO. I’m hyped for this game.

This is a GREAT writeup. Literally the ONLY thing I disagree with you on is the final score. I think it will be closer than a 12 point game, only because I think LSU offense will still be figuring itself out.

I say 27-23 LSU.

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I think their O-Line is decent but LSU can definitely manage to get some sacks off of them and slow their running game with penetration. The right side of the O-Line seems to be weaker especially at tackle. This is where I think Chaisson will primarily attack from. Also, I am also interested to see how the grad transfer from Georgia Tech does in pass blocking.

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A full strength Chaisson is going to threaten havoc in the backfield on every play. It will allow the DLine to penetrate and rush more plays as well and should contain Ehlinger from running too effectively. Aranda will employ some tricky pressure with Delpit and Stevens. And I think our corners will be ripe to pick off some rushed throws.

Our Oline will be a big pivot point as well. I've read multiple articles talking about our offensive scheme and how we could see some positive changes as a result from our O-Line. It's important to note what others have previously said.. Our Oline has pretty good technique and when they know who to block, they block very well. Spreading receivers and TEs out allow the O-Line to better read the defense and figure out who their responsibility is pre-snap.

Trying to be as unbiased as possible... I see Texas as having a advantage at QB. Much less drastic than most would think too.

Safety could be about equal.

DLine, Linebackers, Corners, O line and receivers are advantage LSU.

Great read. Thanks for the analysis. Barrett Sally of Bleacher Report calls LSU the most overrated team not named Michigan. I disagree of course, but this game will go a long way to either proving or dispelling this notion.
Of course he's a Georgia resident, so I asked him how he thought we did against UGA last year. No response, of course.
This game is HUGE for future recruiting, so I think your take on that component of this match-up was spot on.
Keep up the good work. I know this was work.