USC calling. Helton hasn't named a starter yet, but none of those still in the mix has started. What's interesting is that I believe he will name a kid who not only enrolled early but completed high school a year early. He's been coached for quite awhile by Jordan Palmer, Carson's younger brother who was also a QB but not a very good one, lol. Did Tagovailoa ever start? I don't think so. If Dabo goes with Trevor Lawrence, he's a true freshman. After that, I'm not familiar enough with the QB situations.
I do agree having a quality QB is important if you’re looking to win a natty. So is a defense, but it takes both IMO. I would never enter a season as blind as a Gator fan thinking our defense can carry our sorry as QB to a chip or as an Aggie thinking our QB can carry our sorry ass defense to one. I’m with everyone else in hoping in a child like blissfully ignorant approach that Burrow is going to breakout star. Because the defense is there! Some say he doesn’t have to be great. I won’t argue with that but it sure would help. Yes I want LSU to win the SEC this year. No I don’t think they will. But a man can hope right?
Fair question and Tom Luginbill agrees with you. He thinks we are totally overrated and shouldn't be top 25. Sam Darnold leaving was significant but we also lost a RB and a WR plus a couple other starters. Still, the bulk of last year's team is there, Helton has another year under his belt and IMO an improved coaching staff. If JT Daniels is up to the hype, I expect we'll have a good year. We ended up ranked 12th in 2017....15 seems like a decent place for USC to start the season. Yes and no. The yes is obvious. The no part is for non-SEC teams who get pre-season ranked too low and can never climb the mountain to the final 4 no matter their record. UCF is a perfect example. Not every SEC team can manage a charge from below deck but those with history can and LSU is one of them.
And Jake Fromm had never started a game yet he led Georgia all the way to the national championship game.
I don’t think USC is overranked. My entire notion is that the rankings are what they are and until we see these teams in action nobody truly knows. A lot can happen. But if someone wants to argue one teams ranking based on a specific stipulation before the season starts then we can be here forever doing it for all the teams ranked 5-25 really. They are what they are and there has to be a team at 15 and there has to be a team at 25. As for the 2nd part, I agree with you on group of 5 but haven’t bought into the SEC bias theory yet. The whole out of sight out of mind theory works for a team like UCF, but not a team like say.....Arizona. If Arizona finished 12-1 and wins the PAC 12 with a guy like Tate as a heisman front runner, they’re right in the thick of it for a CFP spot. But yes, I agree, sexy names like LSU, USC, Oregon or Texas take precedent. Especially in the preseason polls.
