It just happens that this year we are losing a lot of senior playmakers: Flynn, Dorsey, Steltz, Chevis, Hester, Doucet, Ali. Hopefully our younger guys can mature and be ready to lead the team when we face deficits. Heck, we had a deficit in pretty most of our games last year against good competition, and we were national champs regardless.
Assuming we are counting the coming season, Over the next 5 years, I see LSU winning 3 SEC West championships, 2 SEC Championships, and a good shot at a National Championship (probably in '10 & '12). I don't think we'll average 11 wins as we have the past 3 years, but 10 seems very realistic. In 2012, LSU's current recruiting class will be Sr's... and I don't see our recruiting dropping off any. That bodes very, very well for us.
Before the season started last year, very few (if any) folks were speaking in reverent tones about Flynn, Steltz or Hester. And we have a lot of sophomores and juniors playing this year as well. I think we're all underestimating this team a little. I'm no longer worried about QB. If the CB play is even close to being up to SEC standards, we're all going to be very, very happy except in two games. My take: one more BCS CG, three more BCS Bowl games, three SEC W Champs, and two SEC Champs.
Lots of people were high on Flynn & Steltz. In fact, I'd venture to say that Flynn was overrated coming into the season.
We've won some close wons the past 3 years, but we've also lost a couple as well. I could see us winning at least 9 games each year, but I kind of doubt it. We won't be head and shoulders above all SEC teams in talent as UGA and especially UF will be right there with us, but we wil have more talent than all of the SEC W teams most of the time. I'll say 3 SEC West titles in the next 5 years, one or two SEC Titles and maybe 3 BCS Bowls with a shot at being in the championship game.
Everyone talking about the close wins averaging out...the same could be said about the close losses. Tenn '05 AU '06:cuss: Kentucky '07 Arky '07 ALL games that could've gone the OTHER way with a break here or there. Some of you act as if the only close games that could've gone the other way are the ones we won. You say they average out...I say they already DID average out...and we still won 11 games/year 3 straight years. As far as Flynn/Hester/Steltz...I don't remember anyone doing anything other than questioning how we were going to replace Russell, Bowe, Davis, and Landry. Nobody thought we were gonna do it with Flynn, Steltz, Hester, et al...and in large part...we DIDN'T replace them with equal talent...at least not at QB and Safety. But we did aight anyway.:crystal:
Then there's ASU 05 Auburn 05 Bama 05 Arky 05 Tenn 06 Arky 06 Ole Miss 06 Florida 07 Auburn 07 Bama 07 Tenn 07 The close wins by far outnumber the close losses...which is an awesome thing. Great teams win close games. I think the general consensus was that Flynn, Doucet, and Steltz would all fill in without any problem at all. They are all seniors who've been with the program for a while. Hester got the load in 06, so no worries there either. My point is that guys like those were instrumental in all our key wins. We lose a lot of senior leadership which is why I don't think we'll have as many comebacks this year. Hopefully players this year mature quickly or else the high close win-to-close loss ratio we have had is gonna even out a bit.
I guess my point on the close losses is this... Save for UGA in '05, ALL our losses are close. But you are correct...more close wins than close losses...although I'm sure that has something to do with far more wins period. As far as what people were thinking going into last year...and I'm talking about the ESPN's of the world...those outside our little circle... Only Doucet was mentioned as a threat on offense. Nobody knew anything about Byrd, and Flynn was most certainly a question mark. How quickly we forget, but right here on this board, people were talking about how long it would be before Perrilloux got the job. Yes...many here knew Flynn was capable, but others...those outside the circle...for the most part...had to be reminded that he had ever played a down. Again...after the draft in April, all the talk was about how LSU lost 4 first rounders. "They're good, but nobody can overcome that". People that did think LSU was gonna be a contender (and there were many) were putting it on the shoulders of the defense. That worked fine for about 3 or 4 games, but then the offense had to step up...and save us in those close games. The defense is what CAUSED those close games last year...including the ones we lost. IMHO, the DEFENSE is what is gonna help pull out the close games this year...along with the running game.
If you look at the talent level of the SEC, and how it is getting better and better, and just the sheer entertainment factor of watching SEC football for the casual fan (throw in the frustration with the BCS), I see the SEC secceeding from the NCAA due to no team ever realistically being able to have a perfect season in this conference. The anger over watching teams from the Big Least and Little 12 playing for titles will eventually lead to this. So, my prediction is 2 NFC South titles, one NFC title, and a close loss in the Super Bowl. The Saints - Tigers rivalry will finally satisfy our desire for a real in-state rivalry.
