ESPN released their 2021 "Way Too Early" College Football Top 25 after the National Championship wrapped on Monday night and pegged LSU at No. 20. Here's what they had to say about the Tigers:
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20. LSU Tigers
2020 record: 5-5 SEC
Projected returning starters: eight offense, eight defense, one special teams
Projected losses: LB Jabril Cox*, S JaCoby Stevens*, WR Terrace Marshall Jr.*, TE Arik Gilbert, P Zach Von Rosenberg*, WR Racey McMath*, TE/FB Tory Carter*
Key additions: S Derrick Davis Jr., OT Garrett Dellinger, DT Maason Smith, ATH Sage Ryan, DE Bryce Langston
Outlook: As magical as LSU's national championship season was in 2019, the follow-up was just as deflating. The Tigers bombed in their encore before salvaging the final two games for a .500 record. Coach Ed Orgeron fired defensive coordinator Bo Pelini after only one season back at LSU; co-offensive coordinator Steve Ensminger was reassigned; and the Tigers parted ways with passing-game coordinator Scott Linehan. Carolina Panthers quarterbacks coach Jake Peetz, who worked with Joe Brady, was hired as offensive coordinator. Orgeron is still seeking a new defensive coordinator.