Are you still enjoying the glow from THE greatest season in college football history?
Winning a title is always a great ride. But the way the 2019 team ran roughshod through the rest of college football made it a season for the history books. The win at Texas, handling Florida in the second half, breaking the losing streak to Alabama (Roll Tide what?!), destroying Georgia and Oklahoma and then beating Clemson in the Dome were the high points of a magical season. Oh, and Joe Burrow won the Heisman in the biggest landslide in Heisman history. As the 2019 season moves further into the rear-view mirror, “Yea, this LSU team is really good, but that 2019 team...” will become a familiar refrain. 2019 will be the bench mark in which all future LSU teams are judged. As LSU fans, let us not be too harsh on the players of the future as they try and match 2019’s level of excellence.
But that’s all in the past now. It’s 2020 and we are in for a season the likes we have never seen.
There has been plenty of negativity from the media and many fans in the last few months regarding the viability of playing a college football season in 2020. I do not share that negativity and it is counterproductive to what athletic administrators are trying to accomplish. Pulling off this season is going to be extremely challenging. Having sports writers put out articles like THIS and THIS do not help. As with much of “journalism” these days, many sports writers have moved beyond just providing the public with raw information. They have staked out their positions and every article they write fits that narrative. Many think the season should not be played and their articles reflect that point of view.
Not here. I’m staying positive and I am confident the season will be played. In that vein...let’s talk about the Tigers.
2020 LSU Preview
This is Myles Brennan’s team. Brennen enrolled at LSU in 2017 as the 6th ranked pro style QB in the country coming out of high school. He has a stronger arm than Burrow but as we saw last year, knowing where to go with the ball is the key in this offense. Chase and Marshall are back at WR and incoming freshman TE Arik Gilbert will start game one. Gilbert was the #1 TE nationally in the 2020 class and the 2019-2020 Gatorade National Player of the year. The offensive line is in good shape as well with regard to the starters. However, there is little experienced depth so staying healthy is crucial. With the style of offense LSU plays, the O-Line only needs to be good, not great.
That being said, using some of the advanced metrics which have become in vogue recently, LSU ranks 127th out of 130 teams nationally in returning production on offense. There is no question LSU has plenty of talent, but it will need to come into form early.
Much has been made of the departure of Joe Brady from the offensive staff. LSU fans owe a great deal of gratitude to Brady as he has revolutionized LSU unlike any coach I have seen in my 38 years of following LSU. He will be missed. But I have great deal of faith in Coach O and Steve Ensminger. We still have the playbook and Ensminger did a great job on game days.
Bo Pelini replaces Dave Aranda as defensive coordinator this season. Pelini previously served as LSU DC 2005-2007. Here is a breakdown of a few defensive stats from those years.
The defensive interior line is deep and experienced. I expect Tyler Shelvin (DT) to have a breakout season and be a finalist for a number of post season awards. The ends are question marks. The linebacker corps is totally revamped from last year. Damone Clark (LB) looked very good last season in limited duty and should only continue to grow in 2020. The secondary will be the strength of the defense. Derek Stingly, Jr. is the best CB in the country. Jacoby Stevenson (S) blossomed last year and will be a leader for this group. Senior Kary Vincent improved dramatically as 2109 went along and will be another valuable leader in the nickel position.
Lots of questions but also a lot of excitement surround he 2020 Tigers. A 10 game conference only slate does not allow LSU, or any other team, to work out kinks, build depth or get younger guys playing time. We know who LSU will play, but currently we do not know where the “bigger” games will be placed on the schedule.
It’s good to be back. I look forward to what promises to be a unique season of college football.
