Realistic Look At 2016

Defense:

LSU will likely lose two of the starting linebackers (Jones and Beckwith). They likely lose White at CB. Outside of those three, LSU looks to return most of the defensive unit that was mildly disappointing. I think another year with Coach O will do wonders for a defensive line that improved as the year progressed.

The DBU title is surely a fiction now as the defensive backfield proved to be the biggest liability on the team, outside of QB. That said, KT2 and Adams will both be on pre-season All- American watch lists and should be in line to have great seasons.

Offense:

LSU returns most of the O-line, which continues to be a liability under Miles. LSU returns most, if not all, of a talented, yet underutilized receiving corp. LSU returns arguably the best backfield in the SEC with Fournette and Guice.

All that being the case, and as much as I would have loved to see Harris become the playmaker we have hoped for, I just don't see it. It may be a combo of coaching and aptitude, but Harris does not have "it". I think he will be better in 2016, but that is a relative term given his play down the stretch. If we are honest, he is just not very good.


Schedule:

Sept. 3 LSU at Wisconsin (Lambeau Field) (Should be a win)
Sept. 10 LSU vs. Jacksonville State (Win)
Sept. 17 LSU vs. Mississippi State (Win)
Sept. 24 LSU at Auburn (Toss up - Malzahn is coaching for his job and Muschamp will have the defense playing much better)
Oct. 1 LSU vs. Missouri (Win)
Oct. 8 LSU at Florida (Probably a loss, but winnable)
Oct. 15 LSU vs. Southern Miss (Win, but it will be closer than the experts think. Monken has turned USM around).
Oct. 22 LSU vs. Ole Miss (Loss - no two ways about it)
Oct. 29 Bye
Nov. 5 LSU vs. Alabama (Loss - no reason to believe otherwise)
Nov. 12 LSU at Arkansas (Toss Up - but LSU has not even played them close the last two games - with this being at Arky, a reasonable person has to lean towards a loss here too)
Nov. 19 LSU vs. South Alabama (Win)
Nov. 24 LSU at Texas A&M (Win)


I think a realistic prediction for the record next year is 9-3, at best, and 7-5 at worst. If Miles goes 7-5, I think there is a real chance that he is released (after having settled down over the weekend). If he goes 8-4 or better, he will be retained.

LSU will probably finish 3-5th in the SECw and maybe get a Florida New Years Day bowl berth.

I will predict 8-4 as the record (losses to Bama, OM, Arky and Florida).