re: ESPN ranks LSU #3 in preseason rankings

there are 4 teams on LSU's schedule in the top 11 and also in top ten Georgia looks like the SEC east opponent of the SEC west winner.

as the ESPN disclaimer states, schedule is key.

There are no teams in the top 15 for Ohio State. Mich St is #16.

The other contenders face two or three real opponents.

Let's hope these preseason rankings also hold true

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Ehh...no way I can put LSU that high until they figure out the quarterback situation.

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62.5% 2135 yards 21 TDs 5 ints. That was the stat line for LSU passers in 2011. If you say "but look at that defense" just stop. How good were Brockers, Logan, Montgomery, Mingo, Taylor, Reid, and Simon in 2010? We lost Sheppard, Nevis and Peterson after 2010. Our entire DL grew up on a national championship run.

We lost our top RB, and replaced him with 4 RBs that each ran for at least 330 yards and 7 TDs. Three ran for at least 530 yards and two at least 700.

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I have no idea what we showed that we deserve this ranking, but awesome!

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what did Auburn show in 2012?

LSU should actually be better on the OL, better at WR, better at RB, and obviously can't get much worse at QB, so better there as well. On defense, they should be very strong up the middle (especially if Valentine shines) and on the back end. I'm hoping Garrett can step up on the outside, or Voorhies? and while I'd love to have more experience at the DE position, it wasn't like those guys were setting the world on fire with pressure (part of it was the Chavis scheme I know). If we can create some pressure off of the ends, then the db's will really shine this year. For those saying this defense isn't close to the 2011 defense......I'm going to wait and see. I expect Beckwith to have a huge year at MLB. I also expect our DT's to be very good. I honestly think that Adams has a lot of that special play making ability that TM had, and I think you see him blow up this year. You throw in White and Mills, and this is a bold statement, but this may be the best backfield we have had at LSU. I wish RR could have gotten his shite together.

In summary, I think this team has the chance to be really special next year. The schedule, specifically the road schedule, is brutal...playing OM, State, Alabama, and SC on the road. Of course, the difference between really special, and 10-2 will be the productivity we get from the QB position.

LSU is preseason #3 in ESPN Stats and Info's formula, the Football Power Index. This is an "automated set of preseason ratings," not a power ranking voted on by staff.

LSU was 17 in the way-too-early top 25, and 2 of the 37 staff predictions for 2015 had LSU in the playoffs.

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62.5% 2135 yards 21 TDs 5 ints.

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that's a championship stat line for a QB that plays for LSU

#12 offense??? A top ten running attack paired with a #110-120 passing attack...does not compute.

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The team was average at best. I see no reason (given our quarterback situation) why we should be ranked at #3.

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There is a big difference between having average results and having an average team. With Beckwith at MLB against State, I'm calling win. If 1 of a thousand things doesn't go wrong in the last 50 seconds against bama that's a win as well. We come out firing on all cylinders against Ark, and win the west. Win the SEC and get a playoff spot.

It's not hard to see that this team can and should be better than last years, so I don't think a top five ranking is out of order.

It's novelty.

Until the QB position produces, LSU wont come close to true top 10.