LSU Tigers 2018 Football Preview

LSU Tigers 2018 Football Preview

Opening Statement: Last off-season, the Tigers put all of their eggs into the basket of hiring Tom Herman. When they failed at that attempt, they ended up settling with Ed Orgeron. At the time, it looked like it could work out, but it largely has not worked out, and this program is absolutely not in a better spot than it was when they fired Les Miles. Orgeron got into a very public personality pissing match with OC Matt Canada, and the offense flailed miserably. Steve Emsminger was hired to change an offense that ranked 54th nationally, and it wasn't really that good. Defense may have to carry the day once again, and that is a terrible sign.

Breakdown Offense: This unit was a bit of a mixed bag mess last season, and finding consistency will be key this fall to finding a unit that can create wins instead of losing games. That starts at QB, where a 3 way battle rages into the fall for the Tigers. Myles Brennan is back after attempting 24 passes last season (completed just 14 of them). He is the only QB on the roster that has any real experience, and that is, in itself, a problem. Justin McMillian and freshman Lowell Narcisse will be pushing in camp for the job, and it is anyone's guess who will be left standing.

The run game finished 28th last season nationally, and could be relied upon once again to make anything happen. Nick Brosette leads the way at RB as we head into fall camp. He rushed just 19 times for 96 yards all of last season, but he has the edge as of now. That does not mean he holds the job through the end of camp. Clyde Edwards-Helaire is expected to give him a good shove in camp.

Jonathon Giles is expected to give the Tigers some explosiveness at receiver this fall. He last played at Texas Tech in 2016, as he posted a line of 69-1158-13. He , of course, played in a system that benefited his skill set back then, and he will not have that same kind of QB play here. Justin Jefferson is expected to win the job opposite him. In short, this is not a deep or overly talented group of receivers on the Tigers roster this season, so finding depth and impact may be a lot to ask.

Foster Moreau returns at TE, and is actually the leading returning pass catcher from last season with 24. He caught 3 TD passes as well.

The line looks strong, but has some questions as well. Three starters return in Saahdiq Charles (LT), Garrett Brumfield (LG), and Ed Ingram (RG). Lloyd Cushenberry III has the edge at Center and Adrian Magee has the edge at RT as we head towards camp. Badara Traore will engage in the RT battle. Cole Smith, a freshman, will also be looking for some reps at Center, but is expected to be the backup when the season starts. Austin Deculsus and Cameron Wire will provide some depth at Tackle. Damien Lewis and  Donavaughn Campbell will provide depth at the Guard spots.

Breakdown Defense: LSU ranked 12th in total defense last season, and there is talent returning that makes me believe that the defense should be strong once again.

Rashard Lawrence (DE) and K'Lavon Chaisson (DT)  both return on the line to start. They combined for 8 TFLs last season. The loss of Greg Gilmore and Christian LaCouture will hurt, but the Tigers have talented, if not less experienced, options in play this fall. Ed Alexander, a junior, is expected to step in at the open DT spot, while Breidon Fehoko will likely start at DE. Alexander played in 10 games as a junior last fall.

Devin White and Tyler Taylor both return at LB this season, and that is fantastic news. White is one of the best LBs in the nation, and finished with 133 tackles last season, while adding a team leading 14 TFLs. He tossed in 4.5 sacks 5 QB hurries to go along with 3 PBUs. Taylor is a rising star who finished with 32 tackles as a freshman last fall. Michael Divinity looks to be the new starter at MLB, and finished with 15 tackles as a sophomore last season.

The Tigers are set in the secondary, as both John Battle and Grant Delpit return at the Safety spots. Battle finished with 61 tackles last fall, while Delpit added another 60. Battle added 4 PBUs and 2 forced fumbles, while Delpit added 8 PBUs. Each player added one INT to the mix. Eric Monroe and Jacoby Stevens are the backups.

Greedy Williams is back to start at CB, and may be one of the best in the nation after leading the team with 6 INTs last fall and 11 PBUs as a freshman. Jontre Kirklin looks like he has the edge for the open CB spot as we head to camp, but Kary Vincent may have a say in that battle before all is through. Vincent played in 11 games as a freshman last season. Kelvin Joseph, a freshman, is looking for a way into the action as well. Terrance Alexander, a Stanford transfer, may also emerge with the job.

Breakdown Special Teams: Connor Culp struggled at PK last season, so the Tigers found a transfer in Cole Tracy, who hit 27 FGs for D2 Assumption last season. He is going to push hard for the job. Jack Gonsoulin is also in the mix.

Zach Von Rosenberg is the Punter, and averaged 43 yards per punt last fall. He is one of the better Punters in the nation.

The KR job may be open for a battle in camp, as Edwards-Haire averaged just 19 yards per return last fall. The PR job is open in camp as well after DJ Chark left for the NFL.

Final Analysis: It is hard for me to conceive of a 2019 football season with Ed Orgeron still at the helm. Offensively, the Tigers simply do not have the horses to keep up with the high powered SEC West. The defense can line up with almost anyone, but the Tigers may simply struggle to score and move the football in the passing game, and in the modern era, if you struggle the throw the football, you do not win. The QB battle still ongoing is concerning, and the loss of talent at the RB spot is also a major issues. The WR corps is not at all deep, and with all of these issues existing, this season could get stuck in the muck fairly quickly. The Tigers face both Miami and Auburn in the opening month, and bad performances in those two contests could spell doom early.