LSU & Bama Experience - Perspective

They have seniors because they don't all leave early

well dont you know that accordingto our fan base 10-1 means you are mediocre

There's always next year.

I think so. People forget that age plays a big difference. A five start 21 year old can whip a five star 18-19 year old. That's what happened last night in trenches. WC and MT were getting worked by those older Bama d tackles.

We're we ever old in the past 5 years? Will we ever get old? That's not an excuse. You have 3 years with these kids. Start them young get them experience and play the hand you are dealt.

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Alabama started about 12 Seniors last night. LSU started about 3. This makes a huge difference. It seems like they are always full of seniors but that's another subject. LSU was playing an experienced, talented team, on the road. LSUs roster is young and will only get better. Will still have to figure out a different offensive approach, but that's also another subject.

If LSU can go 10-1 with this young of a roster it will be a major accomplishment.

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Alabama also replaced 10 starters on offense this year, and is missing at least one WR that was going to be a starter. There are three senior starters on offense: one transferred to Alabama in the Spring (Mullaney), one was a JUCO transfer last season (Jackson), and one transferred to Alabama before last season (Coker). They also rotated in plenty of second string guys in the front 7 the whole game; none of which are seniors. Just saying, that perhaps the "experienced" statement should come with an asterisks.

That is still a realistic possibility.

The keep guys 4-5 years because pay is just as good as NFL

I agree with your post. I think it was big not having our SR 300 lb TE to help block those guys too. Anyway, I feel our early departures vs. those at Bama is certainly a worthy subject of discussion. I firmly believe that if Reggie Ragland & A'Shawn Robinson played for LSU, they would have gone pro last year.

I don't know if it is Saban brainwashing them or their player salary at Bama that keeps them there, or both. Or is it a problem on our end, that the players don't have as much confidence or trust in Miles. Or maybe it's just grown to be the culture of our program (although we seemed to have a few more guys stick around this year). You would think however, that a coaching staff that does so well in recruiting the high school kids could recruit our guys to stay too.

Kendall Beckwith's decision is huge for LSU. If he leaves, we may be in trouble next year on D. He would really hurt LSU by leaving early. I just don't see Saban "allowing" a player like that to leave early.

If we can get Beckwith and at least Pocic or Big Hawk to come back next year, we should have a decent chance against Bama. They will have great starters again next year, but not the ridiculous depth on the defensive front 7. I think we could see Smart and/or Kiffin move on after this year as well.

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I firmly believe that if Reggie Ragland & A'Shawn Robinson played for LSU, they would have gone pro last year.

I don't know if it is Saban brainwashing them or their player salary at Bama that keeps them there, or both.

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Last season was Ragland's first as a starter, and he was the weakside LB. He slid over to MLB this season and now makes defensive calls whereas that was Trey DePriest last year. He probably wouldn't have gone in the first two rounds after last year. He hadn't blown up like he has this season, but you could pretty much tell it was coming. He actually had enough sense to come back and make himself some money down the road.

Robinson was a sophomore last year, so he couldn't come out. He can (and probably will) this year.

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You would think however, that a coaching staff that does so well in recruiting the high school kids could recruit our guys to stay too.

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It just doesn't work that way anymore. Some players at places like Alabama and LSU are typically better suited for the NFL, and there is no convincing them to stay. For example, Fournette will leave early when he is able as will Henry. It's always been a given that the really talented guys will go. However, you have a layer of guys under that who are still pretty talented (relative to college ball), and we all know they probably won't be superstars their rookie years and won't go in the 1st or 2nd rounds, but they go anyway just so they can get paid something. It's better than playing for free.