CoachOeaux

Big Ten champ rounds it out, that actually sounds reasonable. Who else deserves it? A gone loss Oregon team that got steamrolled by Georgia probably doesn’t get in over defending champ Georgia. Clemson might end up undefeated but they’ve struggled against some very mediocre ACC teams and don’t have any marquee wins.

The problem is largely that Coach O was a lame duck coach for all of recruiting season. Until that happened he was recruiting at a top level. When no one knows who the coach will be or which of the assistants will stay, it’s impossible to bring in recruits except for locals who grew up ride or die LSU. Thank god they have a 5* QB in the backyard.

Other than injury risk, TDP is much better served playing another year behind an improved O Line. Last year the blocking was a disaster and he had very few opportunities to shine as a prospect. As blocking got better later in the season he started showing his ability

I actually think the age works out well long term. He’ll be good for 5-10 years, and LSU can have confidence he won’t leave for another program or the NFL. It also helps with coordinators - he can credibly bring in and keep coordinators who have aspirations of being the head coach because they know he’ll retire at some point. Having a coach retire and promoting from within has helped programs stay on top through transitions (OSU and Oklahoma great examples)

It’s becoming very clear that Lincoln Riley’s decision was made early in the year (hell, he even recruited heavily out of Southern Cal and is already flipping those recruits), and the Notre Dame AD has said he wasn’t surprised. It is possible that LSU took a last minute Hail Mary shot at Lincoln Riley. But given the agent overlap I really doubt it

It has to be an A. The only candidates available / in play that would be considered good hires were Riley, Aranda, Kelly and Napier. Tucker maybe, but he’s unproven.

Riley was never achievable - based on the contract details that have leaked, the package is really one that only a private school can offer. Public schools, even SEC schools with powerful athletic departments, have some accountability to constituents and can’t off up that type of pay and perks. I doubt he was ever even on the market - guessing USC just made him a godfather offer that OU couldn’t even come close to matching.

I think Kelly is better than the other 2. LSU gets a proven commodity who knows how to recruit top tier players, how to run a high profile program with a crazy fan base and how to maintain a stable program that achieves continued success over the long term. Plus, at his age, there’s very little chance he gets poached away in a few years and there’s room for him to groom a successor, which will help long term continuity and also help attract top level coordinators and keep them in BR.

The only question mark is whether he will be willing to follow the trend in the SEC and open up the offense to take advantage of the skill position talent available at LSU. I would guess yes - I’m sure that conversation happened before he was hired, LSU would not be willing to move back to Pre-2019 offense. But I do expect Kelly will recruit and coach up O lineman to revive the ground game

I think he was an active recruiter but was only in BR for a year, and wasn’t really a known entity until mid season at which point his talents were focused on coaching. But the fact that he came from the NFL and jumped to the NFL after one year leads me to think he wants to be an NFL guy long term. And if his only NFL experience is failing in Carolina and jumping back to LSU, his NFL days are over

Not going to come here with hopes that Saban or Dabo are coming over. I think they are looking at a current power 5 head coach - only way to explain not even pursuing Napier.

Here’s realistic candidates still out there:

Fickell: I just don’t see him leaving now. Cincy has the best shot of any Group if 5 program ever to make the playoff. Leaving before the playoff (which he’d have to do to take the job) if Cincy gets in would really tarnish his rep. He also has no SEC ties or experience.

Aranda: this one makes a lot of sense. He’s done great at Baylor but the Big 12’s future is cloudy with OU/Texas leaving. If he wants to compete nationally, moving to the SEC makes sense. It would also make sense why it was rumored last week that LSU has their guy but haven’t announced yet, since Baylor has another week to play. Plus, the contract extension rumors seem like a smoke screen - if he was really extending, wouldn’t they have signed already? Seems like an agent ploy to boost the price tag.

Campbell: I just don’t see it. Seems like a good coach, but has no experience recruiting at a high level. The in field results this year have also been hugely disappointing - can that really be the guy?

Kiffin: don’t love the guy, but his results at Ole Miss are hard to dispute. He even managed to fix the defense, a sign that he can run a good program and isn’t just an offensive coordinator turned HC.

Cristobal: similar to Aranda, has another week to coach. Could become a very good hire.

Fisher: I don’t think he’s the guy. Also had a good thing going at A&M

Utah State's offense simply has not been good so far this year. They scored 62 against Stony Brook, but otherwise have been held to 35 points or lower by Wake Forest, San Diego State and Colorado State. Colorado State has the 123rd ranked defense in the FBS.

Utah State's reputation comes from the fact that they (1) had a great offense and QB play last year. However, they had serious losses last year -- only 2 starters returned (one tackle and the QB). Jordan Love has not looked nearly as impressive surrounded by an inexperienced line and receiving group.

The offense is currently ranked 75th in SP+ despite an easy schedule. The defense has actually been pretty good (33rd in SP+) and has kept them in games, but the defense will be completely overmatched by LSU's offense.

I agree, blitzing is not in Aranda's DNA.

Not blitzing means that the D-Line has to generate a pass rush, and that simply has not happened. LSU is 77th in the country in sack rate, despite having played 3 opponents with inferior O-Lines. That is a bit concerning, but likely due to injuries (mainly Lawrence and Chaisson).

There's reason to be optimistic -- particularly if Chaisson returns after the bye week and is healthy.

With how the offense has played, Coach O has had no reason to rush the injured guys back to play Northwestern St and Vandy, and Aranda has had no reason to change the scheme and blitz more to cover the deficiency when LSU is winning by 30 points.

A big part of it is also tempo - as others noted, more possessions = more points, and it's especially hard to get stops when you have a 30 point lead. You see it at all levels of football (even the Bears last night) -- if you have a big lead and the opponent is throwing on almost every down, it's really hard to get stops. Defense becomes more about soft zone coverage, big play prevention, red zone defense and turnovers.