Remember this LSU Prediction?

LSU Champions Prediction 9/3/19

Here's why and what I saw?

My Starting Premise

To me LSU always has the talent in all areas of the game. We have had great defenses with hyperspecial players from time to time at Tackles, Ends, LB, DB's. So, I knew this year would be no different. I could say the same about our offenses of the past with hyperspecial players at WR's, RB's and QB's. Our front five Offensive Linemen has had some mishaps in the past but last years they came together and were coming back with experience and united.

This was my starting point. Most people would start arguing my starting point. Well, let'em, they didn't correctly predict this season.

Point of Reference

From my past QB coaching career I can tell you LSU has always had the deep talent probably from the Nick Saban era. (I attributed the attraction for recruits to Coach Saban for insisting AD to build great facilities and they will come. And they have been coming ever since.)

In my experience, I have come to believe 80% of problems in all team sports are the coaches. Not players. Coaches! Heck, when you talk to most of them they don't even look at you due to their huge egos.

The main reason Joe Burrow was good last year was from good coaches and consequently the main reason Joe Burrow is great this year is because of coaches.

My Prep

I don't keep up with LSU football during off season. However as I was catching up my reading on LSU in August I learned about Joe Brady and what had transpired. Coming from the most powerful and explosive offense in the NFL, the Saints. I only wondered if this young kid rely knows what he is talking about? Of course, Coach O believed in him enough to hire him. But I needed to see myself. Also, could Coach O intertwine Ensminger and Brady together successfully? How about the sell to the players?

Well, all those questions and more were answered after the first game against Georgia Southern!

What maybe now obvious. I watched several key changes in the that first game. Here are some of those keys.

1) QB looks off most passes!
2) Offensive strategy such as squashing the offense on a hash mark then passing the ball into the opposite high mark. Wide Open!
3) Lots of slant passes with look offs!
4) Perfect timing with running calls!
5) Discipline players no mental mistakes like: offside calls.

There was more however these were dramatic changes and more importantly simple ones!

To see those changes I was convinced the last piece of the puzzle was now in place.
It was nice to see Joe Burrow had worked with his receivers throught the off season by watching him every week throw with great accuracy.

My son asked, "How did Burrow throw to the WR like that in the endzone?" In truth, Burrow threw tons of reps and not at the WR rather the back endzone cone! It's not hard, once you put in the hard work! You all would be surprised at how many coaches and players get that wrong!

Many praises to Coach O for his willingness to be different by being humble! IT WAS NOT JUST BRADY. BRADY WAS THE LAST KEY COACH HIRED!