2018 LSU Tigers to shock the CFB World

OK, before stating a basis for this claim, let's highlight why so many view the team as a 6-6 or 7-5 type team.

1) Schedule - It's brutal
2) RB - Not the typical Corp we usually have.
3) Coach O - Many think he is not as good of a HC as other SEC HC's
4) Coach E - See #3 and sub out OC for HC.
5) 2017 Losses to Miss St and Troy.
6) QB - See recent history.
7) Hardly any offensive production returning from 20170

OK. We get it. We know that some of this is expected for CFB analysts who are spread too thin. And some of it just comes as a cost (to LSU's reputation) due to the underachievement over the last few year's.... so people have analytical "info" to base their bad predicts on. Just as Bama rightfully gets the benefit of the doubt each year, so goes the opposite in LSU's case. National "experts" have all they need to point to, to predict such a record.

Now...What are they missing?

Just as the negatives are emphasized in a negative assessment, so will the positive prognostication emphasize the upside. Here goes...

1) The D-Line. In stark contrast to the relatively poor (by LSU standards) front line starting unit, and the 2 and 3 deep from the early 2017 season, the 2018 D-Line is drastically better in starters and depth/rotation. It is too early to claim a 2003/2007/2011 level D-Line squad, but it is a possibility.

2) Aranda - He is the best DC in college football,he is in year 3 with full installment of his packages, and he has an awesome group of players.

3) Yes, sticking with the D. The LSU linebacker group, led by Devin White, is arguably as good of a group that LSU has had on one team.

4) Yes again - sticking with the D. As in DBU. Greedy, Alexander-or-Vincent, plus Delpit and Battle-or-Jacoby, with Harris, Monroe and Paris...Thats a DBU type of bad arse group.

5) WR's - Giles, Jefferson and Chase all look like Sunday players. Throw in Marshall, Dillon, and numerous others. It's a very talented group with tremendous potential. Yes, agreed that it is potential... But still..

6) TE's - Foster and Sullivan. If Sullivan stays at this position, these two are hard to cover. Especially with the WR's the opponent will have to cover.

7) RB's - Yep. Mentioning this unit this low is not normal, but CEH and Curry show plenty of legit SEC capability. Provens and Brossette might prove legit as well. I particularly think Curry's film from HS looks to be a good SEC fit. The Marshawn Lynch compare by Coach O is maybe a bit much, but we'll see.

8) QB - I see a lot of commonality of Burrow to Flynn. 6'3" 220ish,decent wheels, a student of the game, and seems to be able to make all the throws and acts like a leader. Also, as stated in another thread, I see the potential for Narcisse's to play a situational wildcat and short yardage role. Burrow with about 90% of snaps, with Narcisse's the others when it makes sense. Etling was very limited due to poor accuracy on throws beyond 35 yards. Burrow needs to prove himself in that category, especially with a heavy mix of passing in Coach R's offense.

OK.. That's enough.

Bottom line: Defense and D-Line (with depth) is what every SEC Champ has had in recent years, and Aranda and his D will be top notch. Coach E and Coach Sullivan are the key, along with a strong OLine. (I know, the OLine depth is not great, but it could be pretty good. OK, the OLine is the area we need the most luck in, but in this assessment, I'm gonna assume we get it. :-) )

This 2018 team will win in the 9-12 range, vs the 6-9 range.

And if the D and Burrow are as good as I project, SEC West contention is a real possibility.

With the media completely dissing the Tigers, leaving them almost completely out of the conversation, we are right were we want to be as the underdog - and poised the shock the CFB World.