Are we in the discussion, yes. I think that is where it ends at the moment. We have far too many areas to clean up/shore up before we start talking playoffs/titles. Its just not there. Yet.
Hell, Utah might be the only team that appears to be a true contender so far this year based on some of the opinions I'm reading. Every team has had a few struggles, bad quarters/half's, etc. LSU is a developing team with a bunch of very young players, if we can continue to develope and cut down on the penalties we can definitely contend for a title.
Sure, the pieces are there but lots of "ifs" depth at DL/LB, as good as the OL and 7 are we will HAVE to develop a way to move the ball through the air. Punt/kick coverage is awful. Punting is just as bad. We have speed on D to get to the ball but to date the tackling has been terrible, the last couple could prove catastrophic if not fixed with a quickness. This team could be very special. Fortunately they have a couple of games to work it out. We will know soon enough.
I just think that in 2003, 2007, and 2011 we had much deeper lines. Our Dline is good, but I do not think it compares in any way to the previous NC years... We see it every game when our Dline wears down.. Little to no pressure. It hurts the secondary.
I think our d-line got some good experience against Syracuse. A lot of guys got a lot of playing time and they did well. I bet the same happens this week. I am feeling better about our depth on the d-line.
Sparty? What have they done to impress? I think LSU would punish Sparty. I am not buying the Michigan St. hype. It was based on beating Oregon and Oregon is in a down year. FCS schools looked better against Oregon. If it wasn't for a terrible pass by Adams to a wide open WR Sparty would have a loss right now.
I agree. I saw Gilmore, Neal, and Key all take a growing step in that Syracuse game. This team has the potential, no doubt.
Stacey we don't have a Marcus Spears on our dline but I think we compare favorably to 2003 right now. Kyle Williams was a freshman and Hill was damn good but so is Key. LaCouture reminds me of Williams. And I think we have better LB's than 2003, we had two safeties starting at LB that season. This defense might end up being damn near as good as they progress and we get Mills back. We have extremely talented corners and Adams might be just as good as Landry was his freshman year. Our other safeties are better than Jack Hunt IMO. Webster and Daniels were pretty fantastic in 2003 but I really do believe that White and Tolliver are more talented. Hopefully Steele can coordinate masterfully as the season progresses.
As a top 4 team, I think they are smoke as well, but at this juncture they got a generous pre season ranking and they haven't done anything to lose that spot. Pick on the ducks if you like, but our win over the barn says the same. We struggle on the road with 2 ugly wins... Put us on a neutral field this weekend and I aint about to pull my wallet. Pretty good game for 2 teams with a lot of of questions.
Excellent point @CajunlostinCali at this point in the season we really don't know enough about any team. We should maybe know a little more about ol piss come Sunday. They probably win but I could see them sleepwalk that game. @tirk theory of being able to get these teams up for every game is solid. Until the competition starts to equal out mid season rushing to judgement is a shaky way to go.
