Besides being a viral star for his press conference discipline, Ed Orgeron has gotten the LSU Tigers into a strong position in the SEC race. Ohio State transfer QB Joe Burrow is now settled into the offense, and the senior is primed for a successful curtain call.
Prestige Ranking (If NCAA Football 20 existed): 5 stars
LSU has not won a championship since 2007, but seem to be on the verge of taking that next step.
2018 Record: 10-3 (5-3 SEC)
LSU was involved in one of the greatest games in recent memory, a seven-overtime thriller in the regular season finale with Texas A&M, which ended with a 74-72 victory for the Aggies. The bleakest spot on the schedule was a 29-0 drubbing at the hands of mighty Alabama.
Projected Returning Starters (Offense): 8
Most importantly, quarterback Joe Burrow (2,894 yards, 16 touchdowns) is back to lead the offense, along with star receiver Justin Jefferson (875 yards, 6 touchdowns). Four starters return along the offensive line, which was shaky at best, allowing 35 sacks in 2018. Still, the offensive production was impressive, as LSU averaged 32.4 points per game, highlighted by three straight games with at least 40 points to end the season.
Projected Returning Starters (Defense): 8
If you take out the Texas A&M game, this unit was spectacular. Even with that game factored in, the Tigers’s defense surrendered just 21.8 points per game last season. The entire defensive line returns, a unit that aided in the 34 sacks registered. Key playmaker Grant Delpit (5 interceptions) also returns to anchor the secondary. Gone is star linebacker Devin White, but three of the Tigers’ four starting linebackers in 2018 will be wearing LSU purple and gold again. As a unit, the Tigers ended 2018 with a +12 turnover margin.
Projected Returning Starters (Specialists): 3
Star kicker and fan favorite Cole Tracy has graduated, but junior punter Zach Von Rosenberg (45.7 yards per punt) returns. Junior kicker Connor Culp was 11-16 on field goals as a freshman in 2017, but lost his job to Tracy last year. Kick returner Clyde Edwards-Helaire (24.5 average) and punt returner Jonathan Giles (7.1 average) both return. First-team All-American Blake Ferguson also returns to handle the duties of long snapper.
Key Losses
Last year’s leading rusher Nick Brossette (1,039 yards, 14 touchdowns) no longer suits up for the Tigers, leaving a hole in the backfield after being another successful story in a long line of LSU running backs. On the defensive side, first-round pick Devin White (123 tackles, 9 TFL) is no longer dominating opposing offensives for the Tigers.
Key Newcomer (Offense): John Emery, RB
Emery is slated to handle the running back duties in 2019, and was a highly regarded recruit. Even though he was the number three rated running back recruit, Emery will still have to fend off junior Clyde Edwards-Helaire, who ran for 658 yards and 7 touchdowns last year.
Key Newcomer (Defense): Derek Stingley, CB
Stingley was the highest rated corner in the Class of 2018, and pledged to Orgeron and the Tigers. Stingley’s play-making abilities will be put to the test early, as teams likely will target the youngest member of LSU’s secondary. Orgeron had high praise for the newcomer, calling him the best corner during bowl practices last winter.
Wins the SEC If: They Beat Alabama
Alabama has long been the king of the conference, and the key to knocking them off their throne is simple, beat them in the regular season.
Circle this game on the calendar: Nov. 30 vs. Texas A&M
While we shouldn’t expect a repeat of last year’s seven overtime game, the rematch should be just as thrilling.
2019 Outlook: 10-2
- GA Southern- W
- at Texas- W
- Northwestern St.- W
- at Vandy- W
- Utah St.- W
- Florida- W
- at Mississippi St.- W
- Auburn- L
- at Alabama- L
- at Ole Miss- L
- Arkansas- W
- Texas A&M- W