re: I'd be surprised if we didn't win 10 games next year.

If you want to go 10-2 with this team, you're going to need 7 things to happen...

1. Myles Brennan is going to have to start off the season against Florida State as the same QB he was in the 2020 Missouri game, and then build from there. I think that's realistic, but hardly guaranteed.

2. Frazier and Shorts have to be as good at LSU as they were at FIU and ETSU. If they are, you need to find three more quality linemen. It's realistic to think that's doable.

3. John Emery or Noah Cain have got to flash and become an NFL-quality running back. This is also realistic, though it is not yet in evidence.

4. Kayshon Boutte is going to have to become the top playmaker wide receiver in the SEC. If he blows up and has a Josh Reed-Justin Jefferson type money year, you'll have an offense capable of elevating your team above the pack in the SEC.

5. Jacoby Matthews doesn't just have to sign with LSU, he's got to be a Grant Delpit or Eric Reid as a freshman. We need a difference-maker at free safety, particularly since Jay Ward has got to move back to corner. Right now that's a hole we have to fill.

6. We can't afford any attrition of any kind at cornerback. At all. With Garner, Ward and Brooks as our 3 CB's we're serviceable, and maybe even better than that, but there is nothing whatsoever behind them. Getting at least one more corner from the portal who can legitimately play is a must.

7. Somebody has got to emerge as a top-flight linebacker to go with Baskerville. Weeks is an interesting possibility, Tolan looks like he could maybe play early, Jones played a lot last year, they seem to think Penn has a bright future, Small was supposedly the best linebacker they had before he got hurt. But none of those guys are what you'd call proven. We need one of them to pop like Duke Riley did.

I didn't mention anything about the defensive line because I think we'll be really good there, but it would really help if somebody in that group busted out and had an All-America year.

Also, I don't know if it's crucial that we uncover a first-rate tight end, because we have enough to run lots of four-wide sets and a QB who can make that count, plus we already know that Mashburn can give us a solid H-Back who can run block. But it would go along way toward making us a 10 win team if we found a Foster Moreau or Thad Moss in the portal this spring.

Nah I’m still expecting something like 8-4 and an Outback bowl which is good for a transition rebuild that O left Kelly.

quote:

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I'm a pumper every year, but we have a lot of question marks. Not to be a debbie downer, but: - Brand new HC - Brand new OC - Brennan has been out of football for a long time. - We don't have a proven RB. - We don't have a proven TE. - The OL will be brand new. - Brand new DC - Brand new starters (for us) in the secondary

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Looking at the schedule I think there’s a few teams in the same boat but I like LSU’s QB situation better. I’m not saying 10 but I think 8 is the floor.

We'll be able to tell a lot based upon our opener with FSU, not that they're world beaters. But, if we look good and win decisively it's a good sign.

Love the positivity.

Shaky on the realistic-skills considering total flush and refill of:

- Head coach
- Roster
- Culture overhaul
- Complete coaching staff
- 3rd playbook in 3 years

Meanwhile, most SEC teams were relatively stable, if not getting stronger.

I'd be happy with 7 and trajectory to 10 and championship long view heading into 2023

I figure 8-4, but Mel Tucker did rebuild MSU from the portal and they went from 2-8 to 10 wins in one year. It’s possible.

ETA they were 2-5 (Covid season) and finished 11-2 in 2021.

I want LSU Football to improve its culture and process in 2022. Success in that will not simply be measured, in 2022, by number of wins.

I predict LSU will be 8-4 in 2022, but I see LSU Football laying a foundation of culture and process that will pay off in 2023 and 2024 and 2025 and on and on.

6 wins

Stop