Realistic expectations for next year

Let me preface this by saying that I am not trying to be negative. I believe we have a top 12 team in terms of total talent, long and short term, but I am preparing myself for a rough year for a lot of reasons.

Defense:
Honestly I think the defense will be good. Young, thin at DB, but still very talented and the freshman last year got a lot of reps. That said, we really could have used a stud freshman to play at DB immediately this season with the losses of Tolliver and Jackson. Yeah they didn't live up to their hype but we really could have used the experience. Devin White could be the best defensive player in the nation. Aranda is going to have to get creative with the pass rush...I think it could be an issue.

Offense:
Offensively, it's going to be rough. Brennan/Narcise are obviously inexperienced and IMO their best two receivers will be true freshman. I am excited about the potential of the passing game but we can't expect much from them initially. I actually think CEH will be solid, but he (or Brossette) will easily be the worst feature back that we have had going into a season in a long time, unless you count McGee when LF was a freshman, and even then I would still take McGee. Curry is a stud and will be a factor as the season goes on. O did a lot to sure up the line. I actually like those moves over chasing stars, but it's going to take a while.

Schedule:
The schedule is going to be brutal. Opening the season vs an up and coming Miami team, @ Florida and A&M, home vs likely the best two teams in the nation, UGA and Bama, and although we have owned A&M Sumlin is no longer there and it's anything but a gimme. The only ones I think we could win out of that mix are Miami, Florida and A&M but gun to my head, I would say we are looking at 1 win vs those teams.

Prediction:
I don't see this team, with this schedule, winning more than 7 games. I think 5 losses are just about a guarantee. This is basically O's third season and we are trending the wrong way. I expect him to be fired after the season. 2 years ago Alleva made a bad, emotional decision and hired "someone who wanted to be here". Had we hired a better coach, we could have avoided a major fall off. Now it seems like we are destined for a couple of mediocre / bad years even when O is replaced.

LSU finishes the season 6-6, their worst record since 1999.