I caught flak for "telling like it was" last season right around the Auburn game and kept my mouth tighter than a ... well, I kept it tightly shut after that. People didn't seem to like the honest truth that LSU wasn't that good... Honestly though who deserves their preseason rankings? They have to rank someone, and deserving or not, it's a good thing LSU will be ranked in the preseason. It would be mighty hard to climb into the top five after starting out unranked. I think we have a shot at the NC, but preseason ranking will be important for this. Not imperative, but Auburn a few years ago could happen again. As for how many losses next season, I'm not worried one bit about our offense. Defense is another story. We lose or D-line, and although they underachieved this season, it still hurts. We need continuity there. With the new coaching, it may be a non-factor. But I feel more comfortable with our offense right now. At least we know what we have. I think most of us agree that last season's debacle was because of J. Lee (damn I hate singling out players,) and co-dcs. Well it seems we've addressed those issues. I say LSU should lose only one game, but will probably lose two. The way LSU played against G Tech was impressive. If they played like that ALL season, I can't think of too many teams that would beat us. Ole Miss will be a tough game in Oxford. I think that the SEC overall will be better next season. Look at the west. Alabama will be as good or better. Ole Miss shiould be as good or better. Arkansas will be as good, probably a lot better. State, who knows with a new coach and all? AU should be better. The west won't be no cake walk. I think we lose two games next season. I hope that's enough to get a :crystal:.
:geaux: 'Bama may be good, but I'm not sure they'll be better than they were in '08 due to starting a new QB. I think we got a good shot at winning that one in Gumpland. The game I'm most concerned with is Old Piss in Oxford. As for Fla., I think we've got a damb good shot at winning that one. I'll say one loss for sure, maybe two. And that's assuming the "D" comes around to the standard set in recent years, and I think that'll happen with the new staff. :LSU231:
As far as our schedule goes, IMO, there is only 1 team that may have more talent than us- Florida. In the West: I expect a drop-off from 'Bama- they're losing a Senior QB, an All-American Left Tackle, and a stud RB. Arky should be better, but not as talented as us. Auburn is probably in a rebuilding mode, but you never know about them. They could be strong next year. Miss St- you never know with a new staff, but I don't believe they'll be better than us. Ole Miss may be a little better, but that game is still winable. Our Eastern Division Opponents: Florida, well, they'll be Florida. Georgia won't be nearly as strong next year, but it's a tough road game regardless. Vandy- we should still win this one. So, for me, best case scenario is 11-1 during the regular season, with 8-4 being the absolute WORST case. As I said before- We'll win the West at 10-2. Then we'll likely lose the SEC to them Gators, and possibly ROUT someone in the Sugar Bowl. 11-3 with a trip to the SECCG, and a great bowl win sounds like a pretty strong year to me. :crystal::geaux::crystal::geaux::crystal:
The only reason we had 30 points a game with Lee was because we had a freaking running game. By the time JJ stepped in, Scott and the o-line were out of gas. Look how well he did WITH a running game. 38-3. Depending on how the defense turns out, I think we make it to the SECCG. If we play Florida or UGA for a second time, it could be anybody's ballgame.
I watched you all 4-5 times this season. That last game against GT you were a completely different team than at any time during the season. The defensive as well as the offensive energy was much different. If you can carry that into next season you could be a very good team.
yes, it's still defense that's the problem and that will be the case until we see them play against a good team and stop them. and yes, if lsu plays like they played against gt then yeah not many teams can beat us. only thing i disagree with you on is bama, they will not be as good. nick saban teams go up and down. next year is down for them.
