re: Next year's team will be a tough out .

Assuming Nussmeier is the QB, the design and approach of the offense will have to change. Denbrock's plays/approach weren't terribly creative (that's why LSU sometimes had issues passing in the redzone). However, they really didn't have to be with a QB who could, on any play, turn a should be sack into a 40 yard gain, and WRs who could simply beat, one-on-one, any DB they matched up against. How well can Denbrock make the adjustments coupled with can LSU get 1-2 WRs to significantly step up (or find a guy in the portal) will be the key to the offense. The good news is they should have a strong foundation to start from with a solid OL.

Defensively there has to be a complete overhaul from top to bottom. Coaches and players. NO ONE on the defense should be penciled in as a certain starter. Yes, that includes guys like Perkins, Smith, and others. No one on this defense performed well enough this year to be given an automatic benefit of the doubt for next year.

I sincerely hope I am wrong, but next season is unlikely to be a team poised for any sort of playoff/championship run. I think it will be more of a "building" year towards (hopefully) a potential run the following season.

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If they can't establish a passing game, it will be like the Les Days of old

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I seem to remember an offense in the Les Miles day with a QB far less mobile or good than Nuss and it wasn't like what you describe. The hyperbole is dumb.

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Nuss has had 3 years of semi-sporadic in-game experience to lean on. He'll get the bowl game as well. I fully expect him to be ready to lead the team next year.

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I hope you're right but pretty sure you will be disappointed if you expect Nuss to do something Burrow, Jamarcus , and JDaniels couldnt do. All of them needed way more game experience to get to their best.