re: 2018 Returning Starters and opponent returning starters

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State was very good at home, but bad on the road. But bash away.

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I know it's silly and all but I partially blame the cowbells. There is no way that the SEC would have allowed actually competitive teams to do that. State is allowed noise makers because they they are perennially irrelevant.

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Mississippi State- 17

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Wait I thought our excuse was cause we were young

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Ole Bert has some players in the chart. Morris could make them at least competitive but Arkansas has so many other obstacles to overcome.

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This. I'll be happy to go bowling.

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How the hell did we get our arse kicked by all those underclass men

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A lot of juniors coming back to play.

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We're going to be fine.

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I agree. The defense will be better. Lawrence and Alexander (our best DL) were injured at the start of the season. They will be back. Fehko is an instant starter. Shelvin will rotate a lot and between him, Alexander and Livingston we have 3 NT/DTs at 340+ to wear down offenses. a 2nd year Chaisson should be better than an out of shape Key. White will be a junior, Taylor/Phillips are better than Donnie. Delpit is a star in the making and we will have plenty of solid DBs to play opposite Greedy. Barring injury I think this will be one of our better defenses in years.

Offensively despite youth and inexperience Brennan and Narcisse bring much more ability to the QB spot vs Etling (no offense-love the guy). Brennan can sling it and is capable of attacking the middle of the field and intermediate routes. Despite losing our 2 best RBs, the OL will be better and negate some, not all of the loss of talent. I fully expect a different, more open offense in 2018. With confidence in the defense to shut down opponents we will be more aggressive offensively.

I could be completely wrong, but that is my assessment based on our 2018 returning players and how each position group fits into the team philosophy.

Auburn losing virtually their entire starting O-line plus Johnson at RB could be very problematic. Stidiam is still there as are most of their WRs, but breaking in a whole new OL can be worrisome. Assuming they don't lose many underclassmen along the DL they should still be a very good defensive team.

I was surprised to see just how many upperclassmen UGA had on defense. Smart has recruited well, but young guys are always a question mark. Their offense should be fine.

Florida, MSU and Arkansas return a lot. But do their returning players match up with what the new coaching staff wants to do? Felipe Franks is no Dak Prescott or even Nick Fitzgerald. Is Arkansas' mongoloid from LA what Morris is looking for to run his spread offense? Can MSU's offensive talent mesh with their new HC

LSU is going to miss Guice and Key. They were two the best in LSU history at their positions. And QB is a HUGE question mark. While Etling had a pretty defined ceiling. He also had a pretty defined floor. You knew what you were going to get. Brennan has the physical tools to be MUCH better. But no one is sure of his floor at this point.

If LSU can keep all of the underclassmen on the OL, then they should have the experience advantage over just about everyone they play. That's huge when there are big questions in the backfield. I'm not worried about WR. There is more than enough talent there. We just don't know who the playmakers will be yet.

On defense the interior line should be as talented as they have been in a long time. Aranda might finally have what he needs to run the 3-4 at its highest level. OLB will be a big question mark. Who is going to rush passer? LSU should be very strong up the middle. The DTs, ILB's and Safeties should be the best groups on defense and until LSU struggles at CB I won't believe that it can happen.

For me the three big questions are:

1. Can the explosive plays outweigh the (expected) bad plays for Brennan?

2. Can LSU run the football to a level somewhat close to what they have done over the past 6 years knowing it will be almost impossible to replicate the success they had with Hill/Fournette/Guice at RB

3. Can someone create pressure off the edge on defense?

considering LSU's '16 and '17 defensive signees combined were the best in the country I believe we will be all right on that side the ball.

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WR-Godwin
WR-Hardman

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He was probably going on base offense which is why he's likely not counting 1 of these 2 with you losing Wims.