So one of my buddies likes to gamble alot, and he is currently doing his rankings for the SEC. I got him to send me his LSU rankings for a little feedback. This is what he's got.

Positions (out of 10)
QB 8
RB 10
WR 9.75
O-LINE 10
D-LINE 9.75
LB 9
DB 10
ST 10

COACHES (OF 5) 3
SCHEDULE (OF 5) 4.5
EXPERIENCE (OF 6) 5

I dont think anyone should be rated a 10 b/c there is no such thing as a perfect athlete. I think your grades are pretty fair though. I would give QB's one grade lower. Although they are all highly touted, we've only seen one in a hostile game situation.

Ummm coaches is not fair either b/c they are all established coaches they just dont have SEC experience. But, Pelini has big game experience in the Big 12 and so does miles. Miles has played in Austin and Norman. He knows what a big game situation is about. LSU has solid coaches atleast in experience.

The Schedule was too kind. I'd say roughly that there are 5 games on that schedule that LSU could lose. That is 5 out of 11 which is roughly half. All the tough ones are at home. The schedule is played nicely. I'd say last years schedule was a 4 b/c the toughies were played on the road and this year is somewhere around a 3 b/c it is nearly as soft as last years minus the fact the UT is on the schedule. I judge toughness of a scheudle by how many a team could possibly lose and and how many tough ones are at home. Plus, Appy state, Msst,Vandy,Ole Miss and UNT hurt anyone trying to claim to have a tough schedule. Schedule toughness should also be gauged on how good a team is. If LSU was Vanderbilt and played this schedule, it would be a tough schedule. LSU is good enough that this is 3 at best.

Positions (out of 10)
QB 6 will improve as the season goes on
RB 10
WR 7.5 should improve to a 9 or better quick
O-LINE 8.5
D-LINE 7.5
LB 7
DB 7.5 both cbs played hurt last year and this hurt LSU a little all year long.
starters 8

COACHES 3.5
SCHEDULE ?
EXPERIENCE 5

I know QB and receiver are hand in hand, but our receivers are GREAT...

just couldnt find an accurate man to get them the ball

Thanks for the feedback.

It's funny b/c all non-LSU fans think our schedule is easy, and all LSU fans think it's tough. My personal opinion is that it is somewhere in the middle. While we could lose 4 or 5 games, when you look at it matchupwise, we really shouldn't lose any (maybe 1 - TEN)

Again, I say that schedule strength is determined really on 3 things.

1. How many games a team could possibly lose

2. How many of the tough games are at home

3. How good the team is

According to you guys, LSU is going to run the table so if they are that good, this schedule is only somewhere around a 3.

After the first 3 or 4 teams in the SEC, there is a major drop off. Theres LSU, Tenn, UGA, UF, and Auburn's on there just b/c they were 13-0 last year. But, they'll be down this year. After that its a major drop off. Alabama will be ok if Croyle is healthy. They have a solid defense. They'll win maybe 6 or 7. Arkansas may win 5. Ole Miss will be 5 or 6, MSST will be 5. USC 6 or 7 even with spurrier. Vandy 4 or 5. Kentucky 3 or 4. Aside from the top 3 teams, the SEC is down this year.

QB 7 (as of now, could become a 9 very quickly but haven't proven it yet)
RB 9.8 (very talented & will lead the SEC)
WR 9 (young, lots of potential, have to prove that they can be GREAT)
O-LINE 9.8 (experience, size, strength, leadership - everything you can ask for)
D-LINE 9.5 (very talented, hopefully can replace Spears)
LB 6 (our main weakness going into the season)
DB 8 (fairly inexperienced, but coached by the best)

I like CParso's list. I'd rate running back, O Line and D Line as 9.0 each. Our best single running back may not rate over an 8 (Addai). As a group, based on depth, I give them a 9.

I would go a 7 on LB. We have some very talented fr. and soph. LB's also.

If I'm going to be surprised, I like to be surprised on the upside.