First of all, you need to stop drinking that red Kool-Aid (which I think you're somewhat aware of based on your statements). I think Georgia will be good and Richt is a great coach. And skill players may be overrated, but not when you lose them a year early to the NFL with the #1 and #12 picks of the draft along with a 2nd round veteran receiver. And they're not overrated in LSU's case because they torched us at home last year. Knowshon ran for 160+ (on his was to a 1400 yard season) and Stafford picked us apart for like 240+. Their lines could very well be better, but their skill players won't be (although Green is awesome at WR). Then again, Massaquoi won't be there, so now teams will throw all their attention at Green. Georgia has much of their D back, but let's face it, Georgia's D was not too good last year. We posted 38 on them with Lee and if he had not thrown two picks for TDs to that LB, who knows what would have happened. Of course, playing at Georgia is always hard. I'm not saying we will just go in and beat them, but we have everything they have and probably more. And you need to have some faith. You're about as faithful as that guy in your avatar. After the QB change last year, we went on the road to Arkansas and we played Georgia Tech right there in Georgia. Jefferson looked really good in both games considering the circumstances. We somehow blew the Arkansas game and killed a highly ranked Georgia Tech team that everyone said would roll us. All the guys who were the stars in the bowl game will be back and have more experience. So we should have a fair chance in all those road games. There's nothing overwhelming there. You are forgetting that we have a load of talent (especially on offense). If we have a QB that can utilize it well (and Jefferson impresses me), it's gonna be difficult for teams. We had an almost Tepper-like D last year (even with talent) and I expect things to look much different this year. And it will make a difference.
Oakland Raiders Draft#:1 JaMarcus Russell Ht/Wt: 6-6/260 Position:QB Drafted From: LSU Washington Redskins Draft#:6 LaRon Landry Ht/Wt: 6-2/202 Position:S Drafted From: LSU Kansas City Chefs Draft#:23 Dwayne Bowe Ht/Wt: 6-3/220 Position:WR Drafted From: LSU San Diego Chargers Draft#:30 Craig Davis Ht/Wt: 6-1/207 Position:WR Drafted From: LSU fwiw, they had 0 TE last year and get maybe the best TE recruit, and a top wr recruit (probably no randle or dubose) but maybe close enough. they didnt have their best DL last year. one top DL can make a huge difference i try very hard not to, but in the end i always do. certainly a reason to be hopeful. anyone that knew anything realized that GTs bread and butter was going up against LSU's strength. LSU's O was a surprise. again, JJ is reason for hope (if you allow yourself that vice). what's a "fair chance"? im saying, without a down having been played, that 4 games are a push at best. dude, sec games at the top are often tight (last year excluded), so the edge goes to the home team in each case. then you are left with beating a dominant UF at home and 2-4 additional potentially tough sec games. 4 losses is foreseeable especially if you throw in a cotton bowl game against the B12 CG loser. You are forgetting that we have a load of talent (especially on offense). If we have a QB that can utilize it well (and Jefferson impresses me), it's gonna be difficult for teams. We had an almost Tepper-like D last year (even with talent) and I expect things to look much different this year. And it will make a difference.[/QUOTE] if i was nailed down, id say 3 losses. JJ is nowhere close to a proven player. i might think there'd be a better outlook with a inexperienced 5th yr senior qb no #2 wr. just like you said for uga. dickson will pickup slack though OL, OL, OL! doesnt get enough mention. how good will hitt be in new position? even if tbob's knee holds up, how will a Fr c manage an sec season? i have few concerns about the D.
Auburn has to find some identity on offense, and they're not beating us at home in Year 1 for a new HC, and I don't see Les letting this team drop 3 in a row to Arkansas, also at home. And have you seen what this team has done to opponents in bowl games??
Going into that game I would have argued exactly the opposite. LSU's defensive problems began and ended with players not knowing and understanding their assignments, and that is essential to stopping the triple option. Only GT decided to get cute and start the game throwing the ball, which is not their strength. When they ran their offense while the game was still in hand they were effective moving the ball. Once our offense started going crazy they had to throw since the option isn't designed for quick scoring. I'd reserve that description until I see how Tebow performs without Harvin and how he handles the new pro style that Meyer is implementing. Their OL losses make him vulnerable to blitzes, which is something you could only do sparingly with a guy like Harvin who can take a 5-yard screen pass to the house on every down. All the more reason to have a mobile QB starting who can roll out, move the pocket and make plays with his legs when needed. I'd be a lot more worried with someone like Lee with limited movement.
gumborue - We lost those highly drafted players in 2006, but we had players all over the place everywhere else (we had the best defensive player in Dorsey, Tyson Jackson, Highsmith, Steltz, Chevis Jackson, Doucet, Hester & three RBs who all had really good numbers and significant playing time the year before, the best kicker and punter, etc.) That's the difference. We were ranked #2 going into the 2007. So everyone knew we were still loaded in other areas. We still lost two games in 2007, but the football gods helped us out. I don't know that Georgia has as many talented players coming back this year and doubt they will be ranked near as high (not that rankings mean anything). They're losing the #1 passer, the #1 rusher and the #3 receiver in the SEC. Our guys that we lost in 2006 were up there too, but didn't quite put up those numbers. Fortunately for Georgia, I think A.J. Green was the #1 receiver last year. But their D needs to improve with so much of the offense gone. That D-lineman could possibly make a difference for them. As for Georgia Tech, let's just say their "bread and butter" was a hell of a lot better than our "strength" last year. We were pretty good against the run. But big offenses gave us problems (see Florida, Georgia & Ole Miss). Tech was like 30 spots better in scoring D going into the game with us. With a good performance from our QB, we have a lot of weapons. Tech found that out and the majority of those weapons will be back. And I know JJ is not proven yet. But I'll say this, he's proven what he can do when he plays well. And I've been impressed with his decision-making skills, his arm, his running, etc. No doubt he'll hit some rough spots, but I think he has a big upside and fits in very well with how LSU likes to run their offense. I agree that the O-line is a major factor, but it's a little harder to say what they'll do until they play together as a unit. Certainly we could lose 3-4 games next year. But our schedule isn't really harder than our rivals in the West. The big thing is that we play Florida, and Bama/Ole Miss do not (we're Florida's toughest road game). But Ole Miss/Bama both have harder schedules to start out with, so it somewhat evens out because we have more time to make mistakes & get our players comfortable with new schemes, etc. Also, we get to play Ole Miss & Bama at the back end of the season. All I'm saying is that our schedule spreads out well for us to be potentially really good when we need to be.
:thumb::thumb: A mobile QB is an incredible asset. Mauck and Flynn both could turn it up when needed...
Peach Bowl defensive MVP. Plus, either lazy journalism or they see something. Also, Les Miles and the coaching staff tout certain players before each season to get the spin and excitement going. Last year was Charles Scott and the Defensive Line - Scott worked out, DL not so much. Although TJackson did go early in the draft. Maybe P. Riley is getting the coaching hype this year. I know Miles has already started speaking of certain players by name.
