Preseason Optimism?

Dude is this a question or a statement?

Either way, there's nothing of substance here.

D line is BAD. You can’t win a championship with a d line like that. Offense will take a step back. 8-4 or 9-3 is probably your best bet. Good thing going forward is that our recruiting is stellar and will put us in the playoffs for years to come

quote:

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D line is BAD

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I don’t think it will be bad. Won’t be elite but will hold their own. Db is a big question. Just like last year, lsu will have to score +30 to beat the good teams.

I was more optimistic going into FSU last year, and that was a heartbreaker.

I see it this way:

Pros -
- lots of "vets" and older players who are juniors+ (lots of seniors and a few graduates), great OL, solid RB room, above average QB
- solid LBs
- better DC with better schemes who can put our best players on the field with the most efficiency

Cons -
- lost our OC, and have a co-OC room that could go well but could also cause issues
- minimal depth and no "stud" DL
- same DBs as last year, thought a full season older. really need these guys to set up this year
- no true "game breaker WRs" like we are used to. we have lots of older guys who've played lots of snaps, but talent wise they arent "elite". still think they'll do fine but don't expect to have a WR that will always be open. really need guys like hilton, zavion and CJ to step up and help kyren lacy

I think if we get our defensive structure and scheme in the right place, and play sideline to sideline with some better DB play, and our offense can move the ball with passing in addition the run, we're capable of making the playoff. that will be very tough to do, and i'm concerned but hopeful

me too. but this year with the new schedule, a new QB, and our Defense needing more time under Baker, I am hoping for 8 wins. Anything more than that and I'll ecstatic.

The offense should still be good...but not as explosive as it was last season. Strictly as a passer, you could argue Nussmeier is better than Daniels. He can make more throws. But it was Daniels' running ability, experience, and care of the football (limited turnovers) that are going to be hard to replace. Still, with a great OL, solid RBs, and a WR group with the POTENTIAL to be pretty good, the offense should be good enough to keep LSU in most games (if they can avoid too many turnovers...which is the biggest concern with Nussmeier going into the season)

The quality and experienced depth on the defense is probably below (SEC) average. It was like that last season as well. Those two factors combined to create a truly awful defense. House's coaching made an already questionable situation much worse. This year LSU has a completely new defensive staff. One that has proven success at other stops. That alone should bring about some level of improvement. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like LSU added ton of sure-fire impact players on defense in the offseason. Perkins and Burns are the only two guys on the preseason All SEC teams. There are other players potentially ready to break out under a new staff. But until we see that in action, it's difficult to have high expectations.

The schedule is tough, but favorable. LSU hasn't performed well in openers, but this year they get a team that is almost a mirror image of themselves. USC is going into the 3rd year with a high profile HC who had great success at a prior P5 (now P4) school. Both teams are replacing Heisman Trophy winning QBs. Both teams expected to have much better seasons last year, but were let down by awful defenses. That resulted in each hiring new DCs who had good success last year at other power conf. jobs.

LSU gets most of their toughest opponents (on paper) at home. The early lines have LSU favored in 10 or 11 of their 12 games (all have LSU as a road underdog at A&M. Most, not all, have them as a slight underdog at home vs. Alabama).

Beat USC, then go 3-1 on the road and 3-1 at home in SEC play = 10-2 season. That won't guarantee a CFP spot, but it would put LSU in the mix.

Worst case reasonable scenario: The offense suffers a bigger regression than we think and the defense only marginally improves from last year. LSU plays mostly close games, but finishes 8-4 or 7-5.

Best case reasonable scenario: The offense is still explosive and at least top 30 in the country. The defense improves to somewhere in the top 50. LSU beats USC to open the season. The homefield advantage comes through in games vs. Alabama, Ole Miss, and Oklahoma. LSU drops 1, maybe even 2 games away from home, but 10-2 allows them to sneak into the CFP

My projection (as if anyone cares): 9-3. LSU beats USC to open the season. They finish 3-1 at home, but 2-2 on the road. Yes, the road schedule doesn't look rough on paper, but it's difficult to win on the road. South Carolina is an underrated environment. Especially early in the season. A&M is a tough place to play as is Florida...not matter the quality of their team.