re: Let's discuss expectations for the rest of the year and 2018

Haven't read the whole thread other than OP, but I just want to say that past this year and 2018 we should all prepare for LSU being irrelevant for the foreseeable future. I'm done analyzing it on a position by position level. We're just not a good program right now, and it'll take a special coaching hire to rebuild it. That's all that needs to be said really. Even in the worst performances of the Miles years where people would predict 5-7 as a knee jerk reaction, I'd never bring myself quite that far. Now, I honestly can't say I'm confident this team will go 8-4/9-3. I would actually not be surprised to see this team struggling to a bowl birth at 6-6/7-5.

Here's what I said last night on the score board with my late night musings from the game.

We're not ready.

In the past everyone talked about LSU's team speed - I don't see it. We're not as fast on defense as we once were. I agree with Marcus Spears...we're not who we think we are.

After watching this team, at home, barely eek out a win against Syracuse, (Syracuse..people, let that sink in), and make no mistake - it was a sloppy win. SEC play will be a toss up in each game.

What I don't see:

1. A fire in the belly on the defensive line. Opponents who have a running QB will cause this defense fits.

2. An offensive line that's...well...offensive. There's no solid, cohesive play and against SEC teams, it doesn't matter who is in at QB...they will get killed.

3. Guice is a shell of his former self. Nicked or not - he's not running like he did last year. DWill is actually running better.

4. Canada and Aranda are becoming pedestrian in their play calling and schemes.

5. The deep passes won't be there against SEC teams - there's little to no utilization of the TE in underneath throws.

6. In years past, LSU had a dominant defense and a weak offense - now we just have weak team play on both sides of the ball.

I wanted to give coach O the benefit of the doubt but he's not as amped up as a HC as he was as a position coach. And honestly, after last night - I just don't have faith in him. I've tried. Believe me...I've tried and have a want to believe in him. He just doesn't have it. Doesn't have the...IT factor. No knock on him personally but he's in the wrong position. I'll get roasted for this but I think CLM would have this team undefeated right now.

Think about your job...the people you work with. Can you identify people who are good people but they're in the wrong position? They're better as an individual contributor but not as a manager? Coach O is great as an individual contributor but not as a leader.

I'm a fan of this team - have been - always will be. I'd love to say that we'll go 11-1 but it just won't happen. The current product on the field isn't anywhere near that.

I agree, this year looks like a punt.

Hate to say, but I suspect what we saw last night is as good as it gets under O.

We will beat bad OOC teams and not much else.

With the raw talent we may eek a win over a bad SEC team occasionally, but Os career record tells you what he is.

Kinda how I felt after the game.

Addai 1st Rd pick
Hester 4th Rd pick
Ridley 4th Rd pick

I mean those guys weren't nobodies

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we should beat Ole Miss, Arky, and TAMU

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We should but to think that at least one of them won't beat us at this point is borderline delusional.

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i'm not worried about our DL. we are just hurt in terms of depth by circumstance. that will continue to linger this year, but this year is a waste it seems, but we should be absolutely loaded next year.

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Fehoko, Lawerence, and Alexander should make for a really good starting DL next year.

But what have you seen from the backups to make you believe we'll be loaded next year?

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O shouldn't have run off 30 offensive lineman

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yeah, thats what happened.

How does it feel to be irrational at all times?

I think this is a 7 win team...at best.

Lee, JJ, and Harris were all negatively affected by being thrown into the fire too early