Just curious as to which SEC team causes you concern given each team's current status coupled with their current recruits. Given that some of these recruits will experience "growing pains" in their first year playing (whether as true freshmen or later), let's fast forward and say: "Which team will be pose the biggest challenge for LSU the next few seasons?" Below are teams in the SEC with classes currently ranked in the top 12 nationally by Rivals (minus us of course), as well as their top 3 recruits based on rivals' numerical ranking index. The way I see it, even though the most lodgical program to be considered to be the most troubling for us in the future would be Florida since they have the #1 class but I can't say that they will definately be our toughest challenge for the simple fact that I'm not sold on Urban Meyer's spread offense having the same success in the SEC as it did at his previous stops. I will say that if Meyer's offense is to work in the SEC, you need a QB like Tebow. But even if you have the right players to run it, other defenses in the SEC that are fast enough, can neutralize that offense (which I believe LSU, Auburn, 'Bama and UGA all have defenses that are fast enough). So, IMO, I believe that Auburn, dispite it's 2006 class ranked lower than Florida, UGA, LSU and 'Bama, will give us the most trouble over the course of the next few seasons. Auburn takes a hit losing O'Neil to the NFL a year early, but last year, they took a BIG hit on both sides of the ball and were still able to reload...rather nicely. You give Auburn another quality running back to go along with Kenny Irons, and a solid WR to help their current QB (who's already pretty good) and they have the least amount of question marks, and enough talent already on their team to help ease in some of their recruits from this class. Deas visited Auburn this weekend and it was reported that he liked if very much and if Auburn lands Deas, then they'll be able to mold him into another good defensive lineman. I think 'Bama needs to recruit a blue-chip QB HARD next year and beyond before they're truely ready to do anything more than beat everyone in the SEC that doesn't have a good offense (but get beat by teams like LSU and Auburn because they were the only teams the Tide faced with big-time offensive potential). UGA has a good thing going, and I would be worried about them if I didn't know that we won't have to see them in the regular season for a few years (and if you play them in the SECCG, then anything can happen).
Recruiting high ranked players is a must but the star business, in many cases, doesnt prove out to be the determining factor in how a player develops and performs or how they help a team. I think coaching has a LOT to do with that. You can have all the highest ranked classes you want but just look at Zook and Tinysee. They had a lot of high ranked classes but TN has been going backwards since their national championship and FLA was terrible under Zook. The Gayturds have what, 7 big time receivers in their class? They lost almost their entire offensive line, that wasnt all that great to begin with, and how many O-lineman have they recruited? Not many. Look at their depth chart. They have very little on that line. Looks to me like Urban Myth is wrapped up in the glory of getting big time players so he can anoint himself king of something. GA is strong, I think they are a difficult program right now. Georgia is a great recruiting state and they have been getting almost everyone they wanted under Richt. Any class ranked in the top 10 for them at this point is a reload. They need a QB to emerge next year but they have deep talent all over the place. Alabama was a fluke last year. They over achieved because they are thin on depth but you cant count out the Tide. That is a storied program and despite many thinking Shula was a horrible choice during his first 2 years, he has recruited well and I cant see Alabama being down for long. They are still a year or two away but they will be a force again, count on it. I have to agree with Auburn though. They have more commitments coming too. They are still in on quite a few big players and have a number of slots to fill. Like Georgia, Auburn is as much in a reload mode as anyone. Tubby has recruited very good classes and has proven he can hire good assistants. Auburn is as strong right now as they have ever been in my life outside of a couple Pat Dye years. They have to be considered our number 1 competition for the West title, again. Its been that way for a while now and I dont see it changing any time soon. The thing about these star rankings though is they often turn out wrong. There are always a considerable number of 2 and 3 star players that make a big impact and quite a few 4 and 5 stars that dont. We've seen our share of those, plenty of them. I'm always more concerned about how our coaching staff rates them. I know we dont get to see their board but from who we are recruiting we get a pretty good idea. Saban and his staff evaluated talent well. LSU right now is in the best position we have ever seen in regards to attracting talent. A NC and Saban have put us there. With our excellent recruiting base we have been able to add quality out of state players which is also a big plus. It would be pretty hard to screw up recruiting right now for LSU. Which is a GREAT position to be in.
Florida is raking in a monster class and there is talent there already. I think they replace Auburn as our most dangerous opponent for the next few years.
Clearly Auburn. The star system is informative, but college athletics is a lot different from high school athletics. It is not at all uncommon for a 3-star athlete to be a starter, play three or four years as a starter, and end up as a high draft pick, while a 4 star or even a 5 star player ends up being a back-up player for 4 years. Considering how close Auburn came to having a great year this year, and the fact that its ranking will improve significantly by the end of signing day, I would say Auburn should be a major threat over the next two or three years.
Florida is our permanent SEC East opponent, and Auburn is typically the team to beat in order to win the SEC West - so it almost has to be between these 2 teams. Bama will be a good program in 2 years, but I think 80% of the time it will still be between Auburn/LSU for the West. Georgia's class looks very strong & also is pretty good at answering their needs, but we don't play them on a (scheduled) regular basis so I can't say them. Obviously, Florida is ranked number 1 in the country & would be the quick thought logical choice for team to fear with their recruiting. However, not only am I not sold on the spread offense, but I don't believe this recruiting class is filling all of Florida's needs. It's an instance of a class of great recruits, but not necessarily where they are needed & thus, not a "great recruiting class". Auburn has shown quite an impressive ability to take 3 & 4 star players and turn them into great players. With that in mind, I'd say any top 20 class at Auburn is about as dangerous as a top 10 class at any other place. For now, they get my nod as to team I fear the most. Once some different coordinators come along it might be a different story.
Who is O'Neil? Marcus McNeil is going to the NFL but is a senior and has no option to return. He made the decision to come back for his senior year LAST year. Stanley McClover is leaving a year early for the NFL, but should be our only early departure this year. Just clearin stuff up.
Florida's class is the most impressive. Since they are not in the west, I am more worried about Auburns. They filled all the spots they needed to. Bama's is not to bad either. There best recruit was not listed, RB Mike Ford; who will be a beast. Did anyone see Florida's Percey Harvin play in the Army All American game...that kid was awesome!
