247: Anonymous SEC coaches dish on Orgeron/LSU

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Anonymous coach inside Lindy's preseason SEC preview: "Who knows what Ed Orgeron is doing? I love Ed, but the chaos he's created on offense is a problem. He got rid of a pretty good offensive coordinator (Matt Canada), they lose two NFL running backs and four offensive linemen, and Steve Ensminger is going to lead them to the promised land? I think some people in Baton Rouge are waiting for Orgeron to fail."

247Sports take: "LSU's widely-criticized struggles relative to expectations always go back to offense, where the Tigers haven't finished inside the SEC's Top 5 in scoring in seven years. By all accounts, Orgeron micro-managed Canada and wanted LSU's scheme ran his way, which is why the offense tumbled as a result. The Tigers pulled the plug on Les Miles because the offense lacked a downfield threat and became three-yards-and-a-cloud-of-dust during the later stages of his tenure. The leash won't be as long on Orgeron if that continues, especially if the Ensminger hire blows up in his face despite the acquisition of Ohio State graduate transfer Joe Burrow."

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Anonymous coach: "LSU doesn't have the talent or the depth they used to have. I'm not sure what's happened in recruiting, but they've lost some really good players to out-of-state schools. And they've been hit hard by losing a lot of players in recent years early to the NFL Draft. That's taken a toll."

247Sports take: "This opinion is a bit of a stretch. You can pick out potential program-changing standout like Leonard Fournette and Derrius Guice as important draft casualties, but 2018 is really the only season the Tigers have slowed down a bit on the recruiting trail. LSU managed the nation's fifth-best class in 2015, was No. 2 in 2016 and landed at No. 7 last year before sliding to 15th in February, according to the 247Sports Composite. This team remains talent-rich, but development is becoming an issue, which falls on the staff."

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Anonymous coach: "At LSU, if they get eight wins, don't try to spin it like it's a good year, not while the guy in Tuscaloosa is winning 12 or 13."

247Sports take: "Now this guy hits the nail on the head. At a program accustomed to winning, and more importantly competing for championships, continued 8-win seasons isn't going to cut it in the Bayou with the talent the Tigers keep bringing in. At some point, that talent — notably at quarterback — must be developed into elite-level players and the production must follow. LSU's season is always judged by what the Tigers do against Alabama, Auburn and oftentimes Florida. And the Tigers haven't toppled Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide since 2012."

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