re: LSU #11 AP Poll

First and foremost, let me say that this is a good debate and I respect you as a poster, because you make your points without the need to insult and I really appreciate that. That being said:



"You did not watch the game, Smith goes out 3 days before the game. His back up goes down in the game early. Then the 3rd string player comes in and they have to shuffle their line.
Had LSU been in same situation they would have been screwed also. You are then putting a guy who was not expected to play a snap during the season in a critical spot."

Hmm. Sounds a lot like our quarterback situation last year. First stringer gets expelled, backup gets hurt, and then we rely on a redshirt and true freshman. Bama will face this problem all year on their O Line.


"Utah being a very well coached team exploited this confusion and weakness."


So, what you're saying is Nick Saban couldn't hack it coaching in the WAC?


"Defense is still a question mark for LSU. What if defensive players do not adapt as quickly as LSU fans woul like. What if they are still trying for the knock out shot tackle instead of wrapping up? Just to say "LSU hired a new defensive coordinator" and that fixed everything is wishful thinking. LSU fans do not know what has been fixed until they step on field."


And this is where we'll have to agree to disagree. I truly feel their defensive problems were all coaching related. How many high school all americans do we have on defense right now? Mallveto had no experience and Chavis has nearly 20 years coaching in the SEC. More critics than not would agree that LSU's problems on defense were due to coaching. Feel free to let me have it after week one or two if LSU is no better than last year, but I honestly think the defense will not only be improved, but be elite in the SEC.

"LSU should not be 9 or 10, in fact 11 is pretty generous. Most fans will say they expected 12-15 really."

Most fans are nutjobs. If you think 11 is generous, who would you put ahead of LSU? I'm not even saying I totally disagree with you, but who is more deserving of a top 10 ranking?

"Bama deserves top 5 they earned it by their play last year and with their schedule this year they could win 10 games this season also.

Turn the page. Last year, Bama was a totally different team on offense. Did you watch their spring game? I, unfortunately, did. Their starting QB is ok. Their running backs are going to be ok. Julio Jones is from another planet, but I don't know that McElroy will consistently get him the ball. Bama is going to be a top 10 team, but it will be a result of their schedule and not so much based on how good they actually are. But top 5 at this point? No.

Many LSU fans will say they are paper thin at QB. If Jefferson goes down LSU would have to insert Lee and not many LSU fans wish that. Shepard is a highly regarded prospect but is he ready to start in SEC as a true freshmen?

Shepard is not ready to start. Does LSU have lingering questions at QB? Absolutely.