As pointed out by some, JJ doesn't need to be a rock star as long as the OL play is improved and we establish a dominant run game. That along with an improved D will take us far this season. I pointed it out before, JJ as a game manager complimented with a strong run game, supported by an in your face OL, and our offense will be hard to contain. As pointed out the DL has question marks, but I think we will be alright there. The D also needs to be able to get off the field, get some dominance in the trenches, and get more 3 and outs to give the O more opportunities. Quite frankly this is what I expect we will see this upcoming season. Miles knows the fans are getting restless, and I believe that he truly wants to have and has the ability to make a team that is performing at a level of being in contention for the SECCG and MNC. I believe, should we perform with these key improvements we will see a 10+ win season, and be in contention for the SECCG.:geaux: :tigereye: :LSU231:
Auburn and Arkansas are never likely wins IMO. We will be favored but they usually give it their all when they play us, especially Arky. I can't rest on us as likely winning those but this is just like any other year whether we are preseason top 10 or just top 25.
I am really curious to see what the defense looks like in year two of Chief's system. I think the secondary will be good enough without LB help that we could be a little creative with blitzes, but I just don't know what his philosophy is going to be. I'd like to see some safety blitzes, too, for that matter. On offense, you're right, if JJ can just be efficient and not kill drives, we can be very successful. Move the chains, eat up clock, and win the TOP and field position battles, and we'll be fine. Everyone seems pretty optimistic about the run game, so even if JJ shows only a little improvement, this is very attainable. Like OK says, though, if he turns the corner and becomes an elite SEC QB, look out.
This team has question marks on offense such as qb, o-line and not much depth at wr. Defensively I think we will be o.k.
I don't think QB is a question mark at all. I'm pretty certain there will be struggles there. I don't have a question about it. - What I mean by the DL being a question mark is this...We don't KNOW what we have, because in large part, they didn't play in the spring game. I'm not saying that the DL is a weakness, I'm saying it's a question mark. QB is a weakness, and my hope is that JJ can play (be allowed to play) to his strengths, and not be forced to go out and win games. If he can do that, QB still won't be a strength, but it will limit our weakness. - And yes, the OL is also a question mark. They performed well in the spring game when it came to running the ball, but the patchwork DL took up residence in the backfield on pass plays. Is it that they are weak in pass protection? Or was the patchwork DL weak in run defense? Question marks...
I agree with all points in the OC with one exception. Id flip flop W Va and UNC. I think UNC is tougher game. Its the first game of the season for one thing, against a ranked team at that. UNC has a GREAT, SEC like D. They struggle on O but have a lot of talent waiting to bust out. W Va isnt the same without White, plus theyre losing last years QB, Brown. W Va doesnt have the D to beat LSU, or at least they shouldnt. Because of their D and overall talent Id put UNC is a tougher game. LSU should win both games. As talented as UNC, they arent LSU but Id say they are more dangerous than W Va. Overall I think we should see between one and maybe four losses. Depending on the play is how the losses are to be perceived if its another 4+ loss season. LSU recruits as well as Bama and UF, outside of last years class. Still the talent is equal. If a few young guys step up and JJ gets better along with the play calling LSU could be in the BCS. Its a young team, but extremely talented. If they coaches can get to fundamentals and someone steps up as a leader this team has a BCSCG run. I think LSU has to beat Bama or UF though or it wont look good unless we win the SEC or make a BCS game. Bama and UF are the standards right now of the SEC. Bama is where LSU was. We have to win at least one.
According to Rivals, UF was #2, Bama #5, LSU #6. In the previous year, LSU and Bama were also within one position of each other, depending on which service, LSU was #1 or Bama was #1. I think it's safe to say that recruiting is equal, INCLUDING last year's class.
I say that they will be close games. On average, we should split close games. However, it sure isn't an "at best" situation. I think that if we don't reach our potential we'll likely lose more than half, possibly all of those games; where as if we do reach our potential we'll likely win almost all of them. Right now, 9-3 looks about right for this team.
I'm going to bet that JJ plays like a Junior QB with a years experience and that is BETTER than last year. His backup will be better also. I think the o-line will be better, the d-line will be better. I don't see anything getting worse. Where we lost starters, I think we'll have more talented kids in their spots. I said this a few weeks back, I'm going with 10-2. If I'm wrong, it is more likely we'll be 9-3 than 11-1 (but if JJ surprised to the upside and Bama and Fla. replacements don't step up quickly, then LSU 11-1 is an outside possibility).
