ESPN's Way Too Early College Football Top 25 For 2021

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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.

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